Knowing the signs of stroke can literally save a life. I know because it helped save mine.

When I had my first stroke at age 46, the symptoms came on suddenly. I had weakness on my left side and trouble speaking. My husband recognized that something was seriously wrong and called 911. That quick action mattered.

A stroke happens when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked or when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and causes bleeding. Either way, it's a medical emergency, and every minute matters.

The signs aren't always as obvious as you might think, either. Weakness on one side and slurred speech may immediately make you think "stroke," but sudden problems with balance, vision, confusion or coordination can also be warning signs.

That's why everyone should know how to B.E. F.A.S.T.

And if something suddenly feels very wrong, don't wait to see if it gets better. Call 911.

What Are the Signs of a Stroke?

Stroke symptoms usually come on suddenly. They can affect movement, speech, vision, balance, coordination and your ability to understand what's happening around you.

Common stroke symptoms and warning signs include:

Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
Sudden trouble speaking or understanding speech
Sudden confusion
Sudden vision changes in one or both eyes
Sudden trouble walking
Sudden dizziness or loss of balance or coordination
A sudden, severe headache with no known cause

You don't have to experience every symptom to be having a stroke.

One person might suddenly lose strength in one arm but still be able to speak normally. Someone else may suddenly have trouble finding words without experiencing any noticeable weakness.

That's one of the reasons recognizing stroke can sometimes be tricky. A stroke can affect different areas of the brain, so it doesn't look exactly the same in everyone.

Even one sudden neurological symptom can be enough to call 911.

How to Recognize Stroke Warning Signs With B.E. F.A.S.T.

You've probably heard of FAST as a way to recognize stroke. Today, the American Stroke Association promotes B.E. F.A.S.T. which also includes two important symptoms that shouldn't be overlooked: balance and vision changes.

Here's what B.E. F.A.S.T. means:

B — Balance Loss

Is there a sudden loss of balance or coordination?

Someone having a stroke may suddenly become dizzy, stumble, have trouble standing or walking, or feel extremely unsteady.

A person who normally walks without difficulty might suddenly look as though they're intoxicated.

If someone suddenly becomes severely unsteady, don't encourage them to walk around. Keep them safe and call 911.

E — Eye or Vision Changes

Watch for sudden changes in vision.

This can include:

Blurred vision
Double vision
Loss of vision in one or both eyes
Difficulty seeing things on one side

Sometimes the person may not immediately realize their vision has changed. They might start bumping into things or have trouble seeing objects that would normally be obvious.

Sudden vision changes can be a sign of stroke and shouldn't be ignored.

F — Face Drooping

Ask the person to smile.

Does one side of the face droop? Does the smile look uneven? Does one side of the face feel numb or different?

The change can be obvious, but it can also be subtle.

Sudden facial weakness or numbness is a warning sign of stroke.

A — Arm Weakness

Ask the person to raise both arms.

Does one arm drift downward? Is one arm suddenly weak or numb?

Stroke can also cause sudden weakness or numbness in a leg or an entire side of the body.

Someone might suddenly drop something they're holding, struggle to lift an arm or feel as though their arm or leg has become unusually heavy.

Don't dismiss sudden weakness just because the person can still move.

S — Speech Difficulty

Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence.

Listen for:

Slurred speech
Difficulty getting words out
Words that don't make sense
Trouble finding familiar words
Difficulty understanding what you're saying

Sometimes a person having a stroke knows exactly what they want to say but can't get the words out. In other cases, they may not understand a question that would normally be easy for them.

Any sudden change in speech or language should be taken seriously.

T — Time to Call 911

If you notice any of these stroke warning signs, call 911 immediately.

Don't wait for another symptom.

Don't wait to see if it gets worse.

And don't drive yourself or the person having symptoms to the hospital if emergency medical services are available. Calling 911 allows EMS professionals to begin evaluating and caring for the person and alert the hospital that a possible stroke patient is on the way.

If you can, note the time the symptoms began. If you don't know exactly when they started, note the last time the person was known to be well.

That information can be very important when the medical team determines treatment options.

Do Women Experience Different Stroke Symptoms?

Women and men often experience the same classic stroke symptoms, including facial drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty, vision changes and problems with balance or coordination.

But women may also experience symptoms that can be easier to dismiss or mistake for something else.

Stroke symptoms in women can also include:

General weakness
Confusion or disorientation
Memory problems
Fatigue
Nausea
Vomiting

That doesn't mean nausea or fatigue by themselves mean you're having a stroke. These symptoms can have many causes.

But when something changes suddenly, especially when it's accompanied by another neurological symptom, take it seriously.

Women are often very good at explaining symptoms away. We're tired. We're stressed. We're busy. We'll see how we feel in an hour.

Stroke isn't something to wait out.

If you think you could be having a stroke, call 911.

Sudden Numbness or Weakness

Sudden weakness or numbness is one of the most recognizable signs of stroke.

It may affect:

The face
One arm
One leg
An entire side of the body

Someone may suddenly drop an object, struggle to lift an arm, have difficulty standing or notice that one leg isn't responding normally.

Sometimes the change is dramatic. Sometimes it's surprisingly mild.

A person might describe an arm as feeling heavy or say their fingers suddenly aren't doing what they're supposed to do.

The important word here is sudden.

An unexplained neurological change that appears abruptly shouldn't be ignored.

Sudden Speech and Language Problems

Speech and language problems are another common stroke warning sign.

A person may suddenly:

Slur their speech
Struggle to pronounce words
Have difficulty finding familiar words
Use words that don't make sense
Have trouble understanding other people
Have difficulty reading or writing

These changes may be especially noticeable to someone who knows the person well.

If someone who normally communicates clearly suddenly can't speak or understand language normally, don't assume they're tired, distracted or confused.

Call 911.

Sudden Vision Changes

Stroke can affect the areas of the brain responsible for processing what we see.

A person may suddenly experience:

Blurred vision
Double vision
Partial loss of vision
Difficulty seeing objects on one side
Loss of vision in one or both eyes

Sudden vision changes deserve immediate attention, especially when they're accompanied by dizziness, weakness, speech problems, severe headache or loss of coordination.

Sudden Trouble Walking, Dizziness or Loss of Balance

Balance problems can be an important stroke symptom, particularly when they come on suddenly.

Someone may:

Become extremely unsteady
Stumble or fall
Have trouble standing
Feel suddenly dizzy
Lose coordination
Have difficulty controlling one side of the body

These symptoms are one reason the "B" for balance was added to B.E. F.A.S.T.

If someone suddenly becomes severely unsteady, keep them somewhere safe rather than trying to make them walk.

Then call 911.

Sudden Severe Headache

A sudden, severe headache with no known cause can also be a stroke warning sign.

This can be especially important with hemorrhagic stroke, which happens when a blood vessel ruptures and causes bleeding in or around the brain.

Of course, having a headache doesn't automatically mean you're having a stroke. Headaches are incredibly common.

But a headache that comes on suddenly and is unusually severe or very different from your typical headaches needs immediate attention, particularly if it's accompanied by:

Vomiting
Confusion
Weakness or numbness
Vision changes
Loss of balance or coordination
Difficulty speaking

When in doubt, get emergency medical help.

Sudden Confusion or Changes in Awareness

Stroke can also affect a person's ability to understand what's happening around them.

Someone may suddenly:

Become confused
Have trouble following instructions
Struggle to understand simple questions
Appear disoriented
Have difficulty recognizing familiar situations
Behave very differently from normal

Family members, friends and coworkers may notice these changes before the person experiencing them does.

Sudden confusion can have many causes, but it should never simply be brushed off, especially when it occurs with other possible stroke symptoms.

What Should You Do If You Notice Stroke Warning Signs?

If you think you or someone else may be having a stroke, call 911 immediately.

While you're waiting for help:

Keep the person somewhere safe and comfortable.
Stay with them if possible.
Note when the symptoms first appeared.
If you don't know when they started, determine when the person was last known to be well.
Follow the 911 operator's instructions.
Don't give the person food or drinks unless emergency professionals tell you to.
Don't give medications unless instructed by a qualified medical professional.
Don't encourage someone who is weak, dizzy or unsteady to walk.

You don't need to figure out whether it's an ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, TIA or something else.

That's the medical team's job.

Your job is to recognize that something is wrong and call 911.

What If the Stroke Symptoms Go Away?

Call 911 anyway.

Symptoms that disappear can be a sign of a transient ischemic attack, or TIA, sometimes called a "mini-stroke" or "warning stroke."

A TIA can cause the same types of neurological symptoms as a stroke. The difference is that the symptoms are temporary.

That does not make a TIA harmless.

A TIA is a medical emergency and can be a warning that a stroke may follow.

If someone suddenly develops weakness, speech difficulty, vision changes, balance problems or another neurological symptom and then seems completely fine a few minutes later, don't assume the danger has passed.

Call 911 even if the symptoms go away.

Why Does Acting Quickly During a Stroke Matter?

You've probably heard the phrase "time is brain."

There's a reason for it.

During a stroke caused by blocked blood flow, brain tissue isn't receiving the blood and oxygen it needs. The longer that continues, the greater the potential for brain damage.

Some stroke treatments are also time-sensitive.

Doctors first need to determine what's causing the stroke and whether a blood vessel is blocked or bleeding. From there, they can determine which treatments may be appropriate.

The sooner someone gets to the right medical care, the sooner that evaluation and treatment can begin.

That's why recognizing stroke symptoms is only half of B.E. F.A.S.T.

The T may be the most important part.

Can Stroke Symptoms Vary From Person to Person?

Absolutely.

There isn't one single way a stroke looks.

One person may have severe weakness on one side of the body. Another may primarily have difficulty speaking. Someone else may suddenly lose their balance or vision.

Symptoms depend in part on which area of the brain is affected.

This is why it's important not to dismiss a possible stroke just because someone doesn't have the classic combination of facial drooping, arm weakness and slurred speech.

A stroke doesn't have to "look like a stroke" to be a stroke.

If a neurological change happens suddenly, pay attention.

Who Is at Risk of Stroke?

Stroke can happen to anyone.

Yes, the risk generally increases as we get older, but younger adults can have strokes, too. So can children.

Some common stroke risk factors include:

High blood pressure
Diabetes
High cholesterol
Smoking
Certain heart conditions, including atrial fibrillation
Physical inactivity
Obesity
Excessive alcohol use
Previous stroke or TIA
Increasing age
Family history of stroke

Some of these risk factors can be changed or managed. Others can't.

Knowing your personal risk factors gives you the opportunity to work with your healthcare team on reducing the risks you can control.

Stroke Risk Factors in Women

Women also have some unique stroke risk factors or factors that may affect them differently.

These can include:

Pregnancy, particularly high blood pressure during or after pregnancy
A history of preeclampsia or eclampsia
Gestational diabetes
Certain hormonal contraceptives, particularly when combined with smoking
Post-menopausal hormone therapy
Migraine with aura
Atrial fibrillation
High blood pressure
Diabetes

For more information on women's risk factors, see the American Stroke Association's women and stroke resource.

This is one reason women's stroke awareness matters so much.

Talk with your healthcare professional about your individual risk, especially if you have a history of pregnancy complications, migraine with aura, cardiovascular disease or previous stroke or TIA.

Having a risk factor doesn't mean you'll have a stroke. It means it's worth knowing about and discussing with your healthcare team.

How Can You Reduce Your Risk of Stroke?

Not every stroke can be prevented. But there are things you can do to help lower your risk.

Depending on your individual health and medical history, that may include:

Managing your blood pressure
Managing cholesterol
Managing diabetes and blood sugar
Staying physically active
Eating a balanced diet
Avoiding tobacco
Limiting excessive alcohol use
Taking prescribed medications as directed
Managing heart conditions such as atrial fibrillation
Keeping regular medical appointments

If you've already had a stroke or TIA, talk with your healthcare team about your specific risk factors and what you can do to help prevent another one.

What Should Family Members and Caregivers Know About Stroke?

Family members, friends and caregivers can play an incredibly important role in recognizing a stroke.

In my case, my husband knew something was wrong and called 911.

The people closest to us know what our normal speech sounds like. They know how we normally walk, smile, move and behave. That means they may notice a sudden change before we fully understand what's happening ourselves.

Everyone should know B.E. F.A.S.T., not just people who are considered "at risk" for stroke.

Stroke can happen anywhere and to anyone.

Knowing the warning signs means you may someday be able to help a family member, friend, coworker or even a stranger.

The Most Important Thing to Remember

You don't have to memorize every possible stroke symptom.

Remember B.E. F.A.S.T.

B — Balance Loss
E — Eye or Vision Changes
F — Face Drooping
A — Arm Weakness
S — Speech Difficulty
T — Time to Call 911

And please don't convince yourself you're overreacting.

If you suddenly can't see normally, can't speak normally, lose your balance, develop weakness or numbness, or experience another unexplained neurological change, call 911.

Even if the symptoms go away.

I'd much rather see someone go to the ER and learn it wasn't a stroke than wait at home during an actual stroke.

I was fortunate that my husband recognized something was wrong and acted quickly when I had my stroke. That quick action mattered.

Learn the signs. Share them with the people you love. And when in doubt, B.E. F.A.S.T.

Frequently Asked Questions About Stroke Symptoms

What are the most common signs of a stroke?

Common stroke symptoms include sudden balance problems, vision changes, facial drooping, weakness or numbness in an arm or leg, speech or language problems, confusion and sometimes a sudden severe headache. Symptoms often appear suddenly.

What does B.E. F.A.S.T. stand for?

B.E. F.A.S.T. stands for Balance Loss, Eye or Vision Changes, Face Drooping, Arm Weakness, Speech Difficulty and Time to Call 911. It's an easy way to remember several of the major warning signs of stroke.

What are the signs of stroke in women?

Women can experience the same common stroke symptoms as men, including facial drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty, balance problems and vision changes. Women may also experience general weakness, confusion or memory problems, fatigue, nausea or vomiting.

Can you have a stroke without facial drooping?

Yes. Not everyone who has a stroke experiences facial drooping. Stroke symptoms depend on which area of the brain is affected. Sudden vision changes, balance problems, weakness, numbness, speech problems or confusion can occur without facial drooping.

Can you have a stroke without losing consciousness?

Yes. Many people remain awake and aware during a stroke. A person can experience weakness, speech difficulty, vision problems, confusion or problems with movement while remaining conscious.

Can stroke symptoms disappear after a few minutes?

Yes. Temporary stroke-like symptoms may be caused by a TIA. Even if the symptoms completely disappear, call 911. A TIA is a medical emergency and can be a warning of a future stroke.

Can younger people have strokes?

Yes. Stroke can happen at any age, including in younger adults and children. Never dismiss sudden neurological symptoms simply because someone seems "too young" to have a stroke.

Should I wait to see if stroke symptoms improve?

No. If you suspect a stroke, call 911 immediately. Don't wait for symptoms to worsen, and don't wait to see whether they go away.

What should I tell 911 if I suspect a stroke?

Tell the 911 operator that you suspect a stroke and describe the symptoms you're seeing. Tell them when the symptoms began if you know. If you're unsure, tell them the last time the person was known to be well.

Is a TIA the same as a stroke?

A TIA causes temporary stroke-like symptoms and is sometimes called a "mini-stroke" or "warning stroke." The symptoms may disappear, but a TIA is still a medical emergency and can signal an increased risk of a future stroke.

Where can women find support after a stroke?

Stroke recovery doesn't end when you leave the hospital. Many women need support with the physical, mental and emotional parts of recovery.

Stroke Sisters was created by a stroke survivor specifically to help women navigate life after stroke through connection, education, resources and support.

If you're a woman who has experienced a stroke, you don't have to navigate recovery alone.

Signs of Stroke: A Complete Guide to Recognizing Symptoms and Acting Quickly