“Hearst Magazines and AOL may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links.”<\/p>\n
By definition, strokes happen suddenly. That\u2019s why it\u2019s crucial to know how to spot the signs that you or someone around you may be having one, experts say. Without fast treatment, strokes can lead to brain damage or death.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere really is no warning sign prior to the stroke happening to indicate that a stroke is starting,\u201d says Brandon Giglio, M.D.<\/a>, a vascular neurologist at NYU Langone Health. \u201cThe first symptom someone would experience would be the start of their stroke.\u201d<\/p>\n The acronym BE FAST represents common signs of stroke and reinforces how important it is to act quickly by calling 911 if you notice stroke symptoms, Dr. Giglio explains. By calling 911 right away, you get the fastest possible access to professionals who can determine whether or not the symptoms are caused by a stroke, and if so, what type of stroke it is and what treatment is best.<\/p>\n How to recognize a stroke quickly<\/p>\n Memorize the BE FAST acronym:<\/p>\n B: Balance<\/p>\n Balance issues can manifest in a few different ways, says Erin Hansen, M.D.<\/a>, a primary care physician with Mercy Personal Physicians at Overlea. \u201cThat can be a sudden loss of balance, difficulty with coordination, trouble walking, or looking kind of off or unsteady while walking,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n E: Eyes<\/p>\n Vision changes may involve losing all or partial sight in one or both eyes, double vision, or sudden blurry vision, according to Dr. Hansen.<\/p>\n F: Face<\/p>\n Facial changes can include drooping, often on one side of the face. \u201cA great way to assess that is to ask the person to smile, and that will really show you if there’s some of that asymmetry or drooping on one side,\u201d Dr. Hansen says.<\/p>\n A: Arm<\/p>\n Weakness in an arm or leg, usually on one side of the body, is a sign of stroke, Dr. Hansen warns. \u201cA great way to assess for that is to ask the person to raise both arms up,\u201d she says. \u201cIf they were able to raise one arm just fine and the other one doesn’t move at all, that would be really severe. But, it might be that they’re able to raise the arm, but then it drifts downward.\u201d<\/p>\n S: Speech<\/p>\n Speech difficulties may include anything from slurred speech to difficulty getting words out, to not being able to speak at all, Dr. Hansen says. Difficulty understanding others\u2019 speech and not being able to follow simple commands is also a sign that someone may be having a stroke.<\/p>\n T: Time<\/p>\n This may be the most important piece to remember: Act quickly. \u201cThe mantra a lot of us use is time is brain,\u201d Dr. Hansen says. When a stroke happens, part of the brain doesn\u2019t get enough oxygen, which then damages that part of the brain, she explains.<\/p>\n Speaking of the brain, Dr. Giglio adds that \u201csomeone having a sudden onset severe or worst headache of their life would be another possible stroke symptom.\u201d<\/p>\n What to do if you notice stroke symptoms<\/p>\n Experts agree that promptly calling 911 is the best choice for someone experiencing one or multiple signs of a stroke.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a common misconception that you should try to start treating the stroke at home with medications like aspirin, Dr. Giglio explains. This is because there are two types of stroke: hemorrhagic and ischemic, and the proper treatments for each stroke type differ. In a hemorrhagic stroke<\/a>, a blood vessel in the brain bursts and bleeds. In an ischemic stroke<\/a>, a clot in the brain\u2019s blood vessels restricts blood flow.<\/p>\n Without imaging tests, it\u2019s impossible to tell which type of stroke someone may be having. About 87% of strokes<\/a> are ischemic, but in the event that someone is having a hemorrhagic stroke, taking an anti-coagulating medication like aspirin would only make the problem worse, according to Dr. Giglio.<\/p>\n When you call 911, paramedics can quickly assess vital signs that provide helpful information about a patient\u2019s condition. They also will identify the best emergency room to transport the patient to, which will have a stroke response team at the ready, Dr. Hansen says.<\/p>\n What about \u2018mini-strokes?\u2019<\/p>\n