Stroke Awareness

Act F-A-S-T for Stroke

Stroke is a medical emergency. If you think you or someone you love is having a stroke, get help immediately. Timely treatment can save lives and prevent long-term damage from occurring.

F.A.S.T. is an easy way to remember the sudden signs of stroke. When you can spot the signs, you'll know that you need to call 9-1-1 for help right away.

If you’re experiencing signs of stroke, call 9-1-1 immediately.

take a stroke health risk assessment

Think F.A.S.T for Stroke

Face drooping

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

Arm weakness

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

Speech difficulty

Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like "The sky is blue." Is the sentence repeated correctly?

Time to call 9-1-1

If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get the person to the hospital immediately. Check the time so you'll know when the first symptoms appeared.

Other Signs of Stroke

Other signs of stroke include sudden confusion, sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes, sudden trouble walking or loss of balance, sudden severe headache with no known cause. When in doubt, dial 9-1-1 immediately.