✔ Why it happens:
A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked, preventing oxygen from reaching the areas that control movement.
This causes muscle weakness or paralysis, usually affecting one side of the body.
🚨 How to recognize it:
Ask the person to raise both arms. If one arm droops, that’s a warning sign.
Look at their face. One side may droop when they try to smile.
Check your grip. One arm may seem noticeably weaker than the other.
💡 What to do:
If you notice this symptom, call an ambulance immediately.
Don’t wait for the problem to go away: every minute is precious!
2. Confusion, slurred speech, or difficulty understanding
If someone suddenly begins to have difficulty speaking, understanding words, or forming sentences, they may be having a stroke.
✔ Why it happens:
A stroke can damage the parts of the brain responsible for speech, causing difficulty speaking and understanding conversations.
🚨 How to recognize it:
Ask them to repeat a simple sentence, such as “The sky is blue.”
If they slur their words, don’t understand what they’re saying, or seem disoriented, this is a warning sign.
💡 What to do:
Stay calm and speak slowly to the injured person.
Call a doctor immediately.
3. Severe headache and dizziness for no apparent reason
A sudden, extremely painful headache, often described as “the worst headache of my life,” can be a symptom of a stroke.
✔ Why it happens:
A stroke can cause a blood vessel in the brain to burst, leading to a hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding into the brain). This causes severe pressure, pain, and dizziness.
🚨 How to recognize it:
The headache begins suddenly and is severe.
The person may experience dizziness, nausea, or even fainting.
Lights or sounds may seem overwhelming.
💡 What to do:
Don’t ignore the pain! Call an ambulance immediately.
4. Vision problems or loss of coordination
Blurred vision, difficulty seeing in one or both eyes, or difficulty walking straight can be negative signs of an impending stroke.
Feeling lost? The problem could be in your ears – Keck Medicine of USC
✔ Why it happens:
Stroke impairs the brain’s ability to process visual information and maintain balance.
🚨 How to recognize it:
The person may suddenly have difficulty seeing in one or both eyes.
They may stumble, feel dizzy, or lose their balance. They may appear disoriented and unable to walk normally.
💡 What to do:
Help the person sit up to prevent them from falling.
Call an ambulance immediately.
Do not give food, drinks, or medications until medical personnel arrive.
What to do in case of a stroke: FAST INTERVENTION WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE!
🚨 Use the FAST method to address a stroke:
✅ F – Drooping face: Ask the person to smile. Is one side of their face drooping?
✅ A – Arm weakness: Ask them to raise both arms. Is one arm drooping?
✅ S – Difficulty speaking: Ask them to say a simple sentence. Do they have difficulty speaking?
✅ T – Time to call 911: If you notice ANY of these symptoms, call 911 immediately!
💡 Why time is important:
Every second counts: Brain cells begin to die within minutes.
Prompt medical intervention can prevent permanent disability.
Stroke treatment, such as with clot-busting medications, is most effective within 3 hours of the onset of symptoms.
Continued on next page
