Another common symptom of stroke is weakness in only one arm. When experiencing arm weakness: One arm might be weak or numb. One arm could drift downward if you ask the person to raise both arms.
To get a sense of what arm weakness might feel like, play the game.
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We hope you’ve learned more about the A in F.A.S.T. and how to spot a stroke. Check out more games and test what you know throughout the F.A.S.T. Experience.
Now that you can identify arm weakness, immediately call 911 when you recognize it.
Bonus Material | Check out this 37-second testimonial from stroke survivor and Olympic gold medalist, Michael Johnson.
Bonus Material | Alex’s 45-second video shows what someone experiencing arm weakness might look like.
Why does arm weakness 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 lift or control the right arm. If blood flow to the right side of the brain is compromised, it could be hard for the person to lift or control the left arm.
The frontal lobe is the part of the brain responsible for motor control of voluntary muscles. If the frontal lobe is affected during a stroke, the person may have trouble lifting both arms, or one arm could drift downward after it’s lifted.