Medically reviewed by Dr. Sarim Mir, board-certified neurologist at Mir Neurology.
A stroke is a medical emergency — call 911 immediately. If you notice Face drooping, Arm weakness, or Speech difficulty, it’s Time to call 911. Do not drive yourself or wait to see if symptoms pass. Every minute counts.
Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability — but fast action saves brain tissue and lives. The simplest way to recognize a stroke is the FAST test, and knowing it could help you save someone (or yourself). Here’s what the stroke warning signs are, what to do, and what recovery and prevention look like.
The FAST acronym
FAST is the quickest way to spot a stroke:
- F — Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
- A — Arms: Ask them to raise both arms. Does one drift downward?
- S — Speech: Ask them to repeat a simple phrase. Is it slurred or strange?
- T — Time: If you see any of these signs, it’s time to call 911 immediately.
Other stroke symptoms
Beyond FAST, strokes can also cause sudden numbness (often on one side), confusion or trouble understanding, vision problems in one or both eyes, severe dizziness or loss of balance, and a sudden, severe headache with no known cause. Any of these, especially when sudden, warrants emergency care.
Why minutes matter
During a stroke, brain cells are being lost every minute that blood flow is blocked. The faster treatment begins, the more brain can be saved — and certain treatments are only effective within a narrow time window. That’s why “wait and see” is never the right approach with stroke.
What to do immediately
Call 911 right away — don’t drive the person yourself, since paramedics can begin care en route and alert the hospital. Note the time symptoms started, as this guides treatment. Keep the person calm and comfortable, and don’t give them food, drink, or medication.
Recovery and neurology follow-up
After emergency treatment, recovery often includes rehabilitation and ongoing neurology care to support healing and prevent another stroke. Follow-up identifies the cause and puts a prevention plan in place. Learn about our stroke and TIA care.
Reducing future risk
Much of stroke risk is modifiable: managing blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes; staying active; eating well; not smoking; and taking prescribed medications. Your neurologist tailors a prevention plan to you. For follow-up care after a stroke or TIA, book a follow-up appointment or call (301) 797-7600.
High blood pressure is the biggest of these risks — see how high blood pressure increases your risk of stroke. Sudden vertigo can also be a stroke sign; learn when vertigo is neurological vs. an inner ear problem.
Frequently asked questions
What does FAST stand for?
Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 911. It’s the quickest way to recognize a stroke.
What are the signs of a stroke?
Sudden face drooping, arm weakness, slurred speech, numbness on one side, confusion, vision problems, severe dizziness, or a sudden severe headache.
What should I do if someone is having a stroke?
Call 911 immediately, note the time symptoms started, keep the person calm, and don’t give food, drink, or medication or drive them yourself.
What follow-up is needed after a stroke?
Rehabilitation and neurology follow-up to support recovery, identify the cause, and create a plan to prevent another stroke.
Need to talk to a neurologist about this?
Mir Neurology offers same-week appointments in Hagerstown & Cumberland, MD. No referral needed for most plans.
