Stroke Symptoms

Getting immediate medical care is critical. It can mean the difference between complete recovery and a lifetime of serious disability. If you or someone you know experiences any of the following symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Sudden severe headache with no known cause
Sudden numbness or weakness of the face
Sudden numbness or weakness of an arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Sudden trouble walking
Dizziness
Loss of balance
Loss of coordination

Stroke can lead to paralysis, memory loss, speech and communication problems, behavior changes and even death.

That’s why treating stroke within the first three hours of the onset of symptoms is critical.

According to Ciro Randazzo, MD, MPH, many people ignore symptoms or wait too long to get treatment, which can lead to life altering problems and a greater likelihood of having a second stroke.

Knowing risk factors and dialing 911 if you or a loved one experiences symptoms can help you to prevent a stroke or minimize its effect.

Know Stroke Symptoms and Act F.A.S.T.

Stroke strikes F.A.S.T. and you should, too! Many people don't know that if you can recognize the symptoms of a stroke you can save not only your life, but maybe the life of someone else. Being able to recognize symptoms and to understand that they signal an emergency will enable you to seek medical attention quickly. Treatment exists to minimize the effects of stroke; however it must be given within 3 hours of the first symptom. It is easy to recognize stroke symptoms by learning to act F.A.S.T. and calling 9-1-1.

F=Face - Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

A=Arms - Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

S=Speech - Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Are the words slurred?

T=Time - If you observe any of these signs, then it's time to call 9-1-1.

Stroke Symptoms

Know Stroke Symptoms and Act F.A.S.T.

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