Learn More Stroke Warning Signs and Symptoms

Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. Stroke can happen to anyone — any age, any time — and everyone needs to know the warning signs. Calling 911 lets first responders start treatment on someone experiencing stroke symptoms before arriving at the hospital.

Use the letters in F.A.S.T to spot a Stroke:

F = Face Drooping

A = Arm Weakness

S = Speech Difficulty

T = Time to call 911

Beyond F.A.S.T. – Other Symptoms You Should Know

• Sudden NUMBNESS or weakness of face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden CONFUSION, trouble speaking or understanding speech
• Sudden TROUBLE SEEING in one or both eyes
• Sudden TROUBLE WALKING, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden SEVERE HEADACHE with no known cause

Warning Signs in Posterior Circulation Strokes

Posterior circulations strokes (a stroke that occurs in the back part of the brain) occurs when a blood vessel in the back part of the brain is blocked causing the death of brain cells (called an infarction) in the area of the blocked blood vessel. This type of stroke can also be caused by a ruptured blood vessel in the back part of the brain. When this type of stroke happens several symptoms occur and they can be very different than the symptoms that occur in the blood circulation to the front part of the brain (called anterior circulation strokes).

Symptoms include:

• Vertigo, like the room, is spinning.
• Imbalance
• One-sided arm or leg weakness.
• Slurred speech or dysarthria
• Double vision or other vision problems
• A headache
• Nausea and or vomiting