Stroke: signs and what to do¶
Emergency numbers differ by country. This page uses 911, the number for the United States and Canada. Many other countries use 112, 999, or another number. Find the number for your country.
A stroke happens when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked or a blood vessel bleeds. Treatment works best when it starts early, so this page helps you spot the signs and call at once.
Do this now¶
- Check the signs with BE FAST, described below.
- Call your local emergency number right away (911 in the United States and Canada, 112 across the European Union, 999 in the United Kingdom). Say you think it is a stroke.
- Note the time the symptoms first started, or when the person was last seen well. Tell the responders.
- Help the person sit or lie down safely. Do not give them food, drink, or medicine.
- Stay with them, and be ready to start CPR if they stop responding and are not breathing normally.
BE FAST: the signs¶
BE FAST is a quick check anyone can do. FAST is the shorter version used in many countries, and it covers the last four signs.
| Letter | Check | What you may see |
|---|---|---|
| B | Balance | Sudden loss of balance or dizziness |
| E | Eyes | Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes |
| F | Face | One side of the face droops when they smile |
| A | Arms | One arm drifts down when both are raised |
| S | Speech | Slurred or strange speech, or trouble understanding |
| T | Time | Note the time and call your emergency number |
Other signs include a sudden severe headache with no known cause, sudden confusion, and sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body. The signs come on quickly.
Why the time matters¶
Some treatments for stroke work only in the first hours after symptoms begin. Health care teams use the start time to decide what they can safely do. If you do not know the start time, tell them when you last saw the person well.
... danger "Do not wait or drive" Do not wait to see if the symptoms go away, and do not drive the person to the hospital yourself. An ambulance crew can start care on the way and warn the hospital. Call even if the symptoms stop after a few minutes.
Symptoms that go away¶
Sometimes the signs fade within minutes. This can be a transient ischemic attack (TIA), sometimes called a mini stroke. It is a serious warning that a full stroke may follow.
Call your emergency number and get medical care even if the person seems fine again. Tell responders what you saw and when it happened.
What to do while you wait¶
- Keep the person safe and comfortable, sitting or lying with the head and shoulders slightly raised
- Loosen tight clothing
- Do not give food, drink, or pills, including aspirin, unless the dispatcher tells you to
- Turn them onto their side if they vomit or are drowsy
- Gather their medicines and a list of conditions
- Unlock the door and send someone to meet the ambulance
Stay calm and talk in a steady voice. The person may have trouble speaking or understanding, so use short, simple sentences and give them time.
If the person is not responding¶
If the person is unconscious but breathing normally, place them in the recovery position, on their side with the top knee bent and the head tilted back slightly to keep the airway open. Stay with them and keep checking their breathing.
If they are not breathing normally, tell the dispatcher and start CPR. Push hard and fast in the center of the chest, and use an automated external defibrillator (AED) if one is available.
Lower the risk¶
High blood pressure is one of the biggest risk factors for stroke. Talk with a doctor about blood pressure, heart rhythm problems, diabetes, cholesterol, smoking, and activity. Taking prescribed medicines as directed helps.
... note "Take a course" A Red Cross or similar first aid course shows you how to recognize a stroke and care for someone until help arrives.