Recognizing Early Warning Signs of Strokes

An estimated 3.1% of women and men in the United States have had a stroke at some point in their lives. Each year, more than 160,000 adults die as a result of a stroke, which occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked. Without blood and oxygen, brain cells start to die, which brings on stroke symptoms.

At Advanced Medical Care in Queens and Brooklyn, New York, our team of neurologists treats strokes and their aftermath. The faster you get yourself or a loved one into an ambulance and to the hospital during a stroke, the better the outcome. 

Stroke victims need treatment within three hours of the very first symptoms. How can you recognize the early warning signs of a stroke so you can act quickly enough? Memorize and use the mnemonic “BE FAST.”

B (balance)

If you suddenly lose coordination or balance, you could be having a stroke. A stroke may affect your vestibular system, so you lose sense of where you are in space. 

You may stumble, feel dizzy, or lose balance. Falling could also be a sign of a stroke. If you or someone you know stumbles, loses balance, or falls without provocation, call 911.

E (eyes)

Sudden visual problems could be a sign of a stroke. You may have:

• Blurry vision
• Double vision
• Loss of vision in one or both eyes
• Inability to translate images
• Inability to move your eyes

A classic sign of stroke is awakening in the morning with vision loss in one eye. Call 911 if your vision changes suddenly.

F (face)

If you or someone you know has a stroke, you may lose the ability to control one side of your face. Ask the person to smile (or, if you’re experiencing the issue, try to smile in front of a mirror). If only one side of the face reacts, call 911.

A (arm)

Sudden numbness in an arm or leg is a sign of a stroke. The limb might also feel weak. When you try to raise both arms, one might drift downward. Call 911.

S (speech)

A classic sign of stroke is slurred or strange speech. If you or someone around you suddenly loses the ability to speak clearly, or if they can’t repeat a simple phrase, please call 911 right away.

T (terrible headache)

A stroke robs your brain of oxygen and nutrients. If you experience a sudden, excruciating headache, your brain could be in the process of actively dying. Call 911 immediately.

Acting quickly when you suspect a stroke

A stroke is a life-threatening medical emergency that requires immediate medical intervention. 

Call 911, don’t drive

Don’t try to drive yourself to the hospital or ask anyone else to drive you. Call 911 right away.

Emergency medical personnel have the training and equipment to begin stroke treatment immediately. If you attempt to drive someone to the hospital who’s having a stroke, you endanger their health and recovery.

Don’t ignore symptoms that go away

If you or someone you know experiences any of the symptoms of a stroke, but they quickly resolve, don’t think that you’re out of the woods. Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) are mini strokes that serve as warnings of a larger stroke to come.

A TIA itself can also lead to disabilities if not treated immediately. It may last for just minutes or up to several hours before resolving. However, a TIA is often followed by a major stroke within hours. 

At the first sign of stroke, call 911. Whether it’s a TIA or major stroke, immediate medical intervention can save your life. 

BE FAST when you think you or someone you know is having a stroke. Call 911 and then contact the experienced providers at Advanced Medical Care for rehabilitative stroke care.