What Are the Symptoms of a Stroke?
Your brain needs oxygen to work properly, and your arteries bring oxygen-rich blood to your brain. A stroke happens when blood flow to the brain gets blocked or a blood vessel bursts. Then part of your brain can’t get the oxygen it needs, and brain cells become damaged or die.
The five main signs and
in both men and women include sudden:
Weakness or numbness on one side of your face or in one arm or leg
Confusion, slurred speech or trouble understanding speech
Trouble seeing in one or both of your eyes
Trouble walking, dizziness, or lack of balance or coordination
Severe
with no other cause
Other symptoms may include:
Fainting briefly
Sudden falls with no clear cause
Loss of strength
Sudden loss of balance, sometimes along with
,
, fever, hiccups, or trouble swallowing
Experts use the acronym BE FAST to remind people how to recognize the signs of a stroke and what to do. BE FAST stands for:
Balance
Have the person walk back and forth to look for a loss of balance or coordination.
Eye
Ask the person if they can see you clearly or are having difficulty seeing out of one eye or the other.
Face
Tell the person to smile. Watch to see if their face droops.
Arms
Have the person raise both their arms. Watch to see if one is weak or sags.
Speech
Ask the person to say a simple phrase. Listen for slurred or strange-sounding words.
Time
Every minute counts. Call 911 right away.
It’s important to BE FAST because the most effective
start early.
If you or someone with you shows any signs of a stroke, don’t wait. Quick treatment is crucial to survival and recovery.
Call for emergency services. Even if symptoms pass quickly, there may have been a
(TIA) or a "mini stroke." It's a brief blockage of blood flow to your brain that often comes before a stroke. It may last for only a few minutes. Don’t ignore this warning sign.
Get to the hospital right away. Treatments should begin soon after symptoms start. Early treatment can often help prevent death or disability.
A stroke happens when your brain doesn’t get the oxygen it needs. It’s caused by the blood flow to your brain getting blocked or an
in your brain bursting. If you notice any stroke symptoms, BE FAST and get emergency medical attention right away. Getting treatment quickly is important.
What are the five warning signs of a stroke? The five warning signs of stroke are sudden numbness, confusion, trouble seeing, trouble walking, and a severe headache.
What happens before a stroke? A stroke happens when blood flow to the brain is blocked. Before a stroke, you may also have a TIA, or a mini stroke. Although the effects of a TIA are temporary, you may be at risk of having an actual stroke later.
What are the main causes of strokes? There are two
: ischemic, when a blood vessel in your brain is blocked, and hemorrhagic, when a blood vessel in your brain bursts.
What is the best treatment for a stroke? The right treatment depends on your situation and what type of stroke you had, but it may include “clot-busting” drugs, medication to reduce brain swelling, or brain surgery to remove the clot (thrombectomy).