Signs and symptoms that signal a stroke

During a stroke, every minute counts. Fast treatment can lessen brain damage. By knowing the signs and symptoms of a stroke, you can take quick action and perhaps save a life—maybe even your own.

What is a stroke?

Stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when blood flow and oxygen to your brain is cut off or disrupted. The lack of oxygen causes brain cells to start to die. “Having a stroke is a brain attack,” says clinical stroke coordinator Rebekah Zinnecker, RN. “Getting to an emergency room as soon as possible is critical upon stroke symptom recognition.”

Quick action is essential to reducing brain tissue death and long-term disability. Arriving to a hospital within four and a half hours allows for the use of a wider range of life-saving treatment options — including medications and procedures. Stroke patients may not be eligible for these if they don't arrive at the hospital in time.

“A majority of strokes are caused by a clot, which is blocking blood flow to your brain causing stroke symptoms,” says Rebekah. “Faster time to reperfusion of the vessel by use of medication or procedure is directly associated with clinical benefit.”

How to recognize signs of a stroke

Signs and symptoms of stroke are sudden: 

• Numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body 
• Confusion, trouble speaking or difficulty understanding speech 
• Trouble seeing in one or both eyes 
• Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or lack of coordination 
• Severe headache with no known cause

Call 911 immediately if you or someone else has any of these symptoms.

What is BE FAST?

BE FAST is an acronym that can help stroke patients recognize stroke symptoms and get the treatment they desperately need.

If you think someone may be having a stroke, BE FAST by:

B—Balance: Does the person have a sudden loss of balance?
E—Eyes: Did the person experience vision loss or double vision?
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 phrase. Is the speech slurred or strange?
T—Terrible headache: If you see any of these signs, call 911 right away.

Note the time when symptoms first appear. This information helps healthcare providers determine the best treatment. Do not drive to the hospital or let someone else drive you. Call an ambulance so that medical personnel can begin life-saving treatment on the way to the emergency room. 

How to prevent a stroke

Stroke can happen to anyone at any time. However, there are certain risk factors that may elevate your risk of experiencing a stroke.

Stroke risk factors

You can’t change some of the risk factors for stroke, such as your age, gender, ethnicity and family history. However, there are personal risk factors that you can manage to help reduce the likelihood that you have a stroke.

• High blood pressure 
• High cholesterol 
• Diabetes 
• Atrial fibrillation (Afib) 
• Smoking and alcohol use 
• Carotid artery disease 
• Obesity 
• Sleep apnea

Your primary care provider can help you determine your level of risk with each factor and lifestyle changes that will help to lower your risk.

Creating a healthy lifestyle

Making healthy choices can lessen your risk for stroke. Here are some habits you can integrate into your everyday life:

• Try a new recipe that will help you maintain a healthy weight.
• Go for a run or try a new workout to start on a routine of getting regular physical exercise.
• Limit your alcohol use.
• Quit smoking.
• Take your medications as prescribed.

Talk with your primary care provider if you have any questions about stroke risk factors and how you can lessen them.