Be prepared to recognize stroke and take immediate action.
Waiting to see if the symptoms go away is not an option.
The brain is under attack every second of a stroke. Your immediate
action can have a lasting impact.
Signs of Stroke
What should you be looking for?
However, the signs and symptoms can be more complex.
What you see might actually feel different to someone having a stroke. Here is a description of what they may experience and what you may notice.
A SUDDEN ONSET of the following symptoms may indicate stroke*
| SYMPTOMS A LOVED ONE MAY EXPERIENCE | SIGNS YOU MAY NOTICE |
| LOSS OF BALANCE | |
| Unstable with less coordination, stumbling, unable to walk straight | Wobbling around, grabbing onto a stationary
object, tripping over nothing |
| DIZZINESS | |
| Feeling faint, lightheaded, or like the room is spinning | Unsteady movements (like motion sickness), like they are drunk (without having any alcohol) |
| VISION
CHANGES | |
| Blurred vision or trouble with eyesight in one or both
eyes | Squinting or rubbing their eyes, not able
to read |
| FACIAL
DROOPING | |
| One side of the face is drooping or looks uneven |
Ask the person to smile and observe their face. See if the
face droops on one side |
| SEVERE
HEADACHE | |
| Pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck with no known
cause | Touching their head, rubbing their
temples, sensitivity to light |
| WEAKNESS | |
| Lack of strength in arm or leg—especially on one side of the
body | Wanting to sit or lay down, difficulty
doing simple tasks |
| NUMBNESS | |
| A tingling feeling in the body (ie, face, arm, or leg), like
pins and needles | Constant touching, massaging,
or shaking of the numb areas |
| TROUBLE SPEAKING | |
| Unable to speak or slurred speech | Sentences
that can’t be understood, difficulty having a conversation |
| CONFUSION | |
| Unable to understand what is happening, can’t think clearly or
feel thrown off | A puzzled look, raised or
wrinkled eyebrows, shaking their head “no,” a hard time
focusing, trouble making decisions |
| TO CALL 911 |
*Note that these symptoms or a combination of them are not unique to stroke, but if they are sudden and out of the ordinary, they may indicate a sign of stroke and require immediate attention.
Calling 911 and getting EMS care could have a lasting impact on a
loved one.
*BE FAST was developed by Intermountain Healthcare, as an adaptation of the FAST model implemented by the American Stroke Association. Reproduced with permission from Intermountain Healthcare. © 2011, Intermountain Healthcare.
Stroke Can Happen to Anyone
Helpful information and education about stroke.
Tell your loved ones
Use these tools to help spread stroke awareness.