Stroke Symptoms and Warning Signs

By learning and sharing the stroke warning signs, F.A.S.T., you just might save a life from stroke.

One morning Sherry Pinkstaff woke up in her Atlantic Beach, Florida, home and laid in bed thinking about the day to come. At first, nothing seemed out of sorts, but when she tried to get up, she wondered why there was a toy in the bed. The object in her way was her arm. Standing up, she felt "cloudy … not quite right."

When Pinkstaff woke up her husband, Kevin, he noticed the right side of her face was drooping and her speech was slurred. She also had weakness in her right arm and leg. He called 911. An ambulance arrived within minutes.

Read how knowing the signs of stroke helped to save Sherry's life

"Everybody is looking at you, but you can't talk," Pinkstaff said. "It's a very scary and vulnerable feeling."

Use the letters in "F.A.S.T." to spot stroke signs and know when to call 9-1-1.

Letter F

Face Drooping

Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person's smile uneven or lopsided?

letter A

Arm Weakness

Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

letter S

Speech

Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence.

Letter t

Time to Call 9-1-1

If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get them to the hospital immediately.

Additional Symptoms of Stroke

If someone shows any of these symptoms, call 9-1-1 or emergency medical services immediately.

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