B.E. F.A.S.T.:  Balance Loss

A common symptom of stroke is sudden loss of balance or coordination, which may cause dizziness or difficulty walking. A person may appear unsteady, have an uneven walk, or experience weakness or numbness in one leg. Does the person seem off balance, have trouble walking, or feel dizzy?

To get a sense of what balance loss might feel like, play the game.

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If you have trouble seeing or understanding the game experience, take the quiz instead.

A colorful illustration of a pink brain character pouring a cup of coffee in a kitchen

Now that you can identify balance loss, immediately call 911 when you recognize it.

Why does balance loss occur with a stroke?

During a stroke, blood flow to different parts of the brain can stop. If blood flow to the left side of the brain is compromised, it could be hard for the person to use their right leg for walking or standing. If blood flow to the right side of the brain is compromised, it could be hard for the person to use their left leg for walking or standing.

Many parts of the brain are involved in controlling a person's ability to walk or stand. A stroke affecting any of those parts could result in balance trouble:

  • The brain’s frontal lobe is involved in controlling movement. If the frontal lobe is affected during a stroke, the person may have trouble planning where their feet will go as they walk.
  • The cerebellum is the part of the brain that controls balance and coordination. If the cerebellum is affected during a stroke, the person may experience balance trouble, dizziness, nausea or vomiting.
  • The brain stem controls automatic body functions, such as blood pressure and breathing. All motor control for the body also flows through it. During a stroke in the brain stem, a person’s body may not get the right message from the brain for walking or continuing to sit or stand upright.

Learn more about this and other symptoms of stroke

 
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