What are the 5 warning signs of a stroke?
FAST is an acronym to help identify a stroke before being able to make it to a doctor or hospital. It stands for face, arms, speech and time, alluding to common stroke symptoms.
Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death for Americans and a leading cause of long-term disability. Each year, approximately 795,000 people in the United States have a stroke, 610,000 of which are first-time strokes.
It occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or ruptures, causing parts of the brain to become damaged or die.
Onset symptoms, which are sudden, may include:
Numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
Confusion, trouble speaking or difficulty understanding speech
Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Difficulty walking, dizziness, loss of balance or lack of coordination.
How to prevent a stroke
The CDC recommends the following 'test,' with the help of someone nearby if possible, to identify a stroke and urges patients to seek medical attention.
Face: Smile to test if your face droops on one side.
Arms: Raise both arms to see if one arm is drifting downward.
Speech: Repeat a simple phrase to determine if speech is slurred.
Timing: Stroke treatments work best within three hours of the first symptoms, so call 911 immediately if you have any of these signs.
NewsNation's Jordan Perkins contributed to this report.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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