Stroke Symptoms: How to Use BE FAST and What to Do Next

Stroke Symptoms: How to Spot Them Fast and What to Do

Key takeaways

• Stroke symptoms come on suddenly. That is the main clue.[1][2]
• Use BE FAST: Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms, Speech, Time.[1]
• If you see any sign, call 911 right away. Do not drive to the hospital.[1][2]
• Write down the time symptoms started. Doctors use it to choose treatment.[1][2]
• Symptoms that go away in a few minutes still need care the same day. That may be a "mini-stroke" (TIA).[1][2]

Why minutes matter

A stroke happens when blood stops reaching part of the brain. Most strokes, about 87%, are caused by a blocked blood vessel.[3]

The best treatments only work if they start early. NINDS says the main treatment window for the most common type of stroke is four and a half hours.[2] Some people can still be helped up to 24 hours later, so go even if time has passed or the person woke up with symptoms.[2]

Stroke is common. More than 795,000 people in the U.S. have a stroke each year.[3] Many survivors age 65 and older lose some ability to get around.[3] Fast care improves the odds.

BE FAST: the six checks

The older FAST test (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) is still taught.[2] CDC now teaches BE FAST, which adds two checks: balance and eyes.[1]

Table based on CDC's BE FAST guidance.[1]

Why the "B" and "E" matter

Some strokes do not cause a droopy face or a weak arm. In a study of 736 stroke patients at a Kentucky stroke center, 14.1% had none of the face, arm, or speech signs when they arrived.[4] When the researchers also counted balance and vision problems, the share of missed strokes fell to 4.4%.[4] This was one hospital's records, and the authors said the finding still needs to be confirmed in a forward-looking study.[4]

The takeaway for families: dizziness or sudden vision loss alone can be a stroke. Don't wait to see if it passes.

Other sudden warning signs

CDC and NINDS also list these. Call 911 if any appear suddenly:[1][2]

• Numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side
• Confusion, or trouble understanding speech
• A severe headache with no known cause

Less often, a stroke can cause drowsiness, memory loss, nausea, or vomiting.[2]

A person having a stroke may not realize it.[2] They may say they are fine. Trust what you see.

What to do, step by step

Your 911 card — copy this and keep it by the phone. Keep your medicines, allergies, and emergency contacts on one printable card:

.

1. Call 911. Say: "I think this is a stroke."
2. Note the time the symptoms started, or the last time the person was seen normal.[1][2]
3. Don't drive them yourself. Paramedics can start care on the way.[1][2]
4. Stay with them. Keep them comfortable and safe from falling.
5. Gather their medicine list if it's handy, so you can hand it to the paramedics.

Ask your doctor in advance what else your family should do while you wait for help.

"It went away." Is it still serious?

Yes. If symptoms clear up after a few minutes, it may be a transient ischemic attack (TIA), sometimes called a "mini-stroke."[1][2] Both CDC and NINDS call a TIA a sign of a serious condition that needs medical help.[1][2] Many people ignore TIAs because they clear up.[1] Tell a health care team right away.

Who is at risk

Risk goes up with age, but strokes can happen at any age.[3] High blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, and diabetes are leading causes.[3] Ask your doctor which of these apply to you.

Eating less sodium can help lower blood pressure. See The DASH diet and our low-sodium diet guide.

• Heart attack signs in women

FAQ

What are the first signs of a stroke? Signs come on suddenly. Common ones are a drooping face, a weak arm, slurred speech, sudden dizziness or trouble walking, and sudden vision loss.[1][2]

What does BE FAST stand for? Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms, Speech, Time. If you see any sign, call 911 and note the time.[1]

Should I drive someone to the hospital if I think it's a stroke? No. CDC and NINDS both advise calling 911 so care can begin in the ambulance.[1][2]

What if the symptoms stop after a few minutes? It may be a TIA, or "mini-stroke." Get medical help right away anyway.[1][2]

Is it too late if hours have passed? Go anyway. Some people can be helped up to 24 hours after a stroke.[2]

Sources

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Signs and Symptoms of Stroke. CDC. 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/signs-symptoms/index.html. Accessed October 29, 2026.
2. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Stroke: Signs and Symptoms. NIH/NINDS. n.d. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/stroke/signs-and-symptoms. Accessed October 29, 2026.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Stroke Facts. CDC. 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/data-research/facts-stats/index.html. Accessed October 29, 2026.
4. Aroor S, Singh R, Goldstein LB. BE-FAST (Balance, Eyes, Face, Arm, Speech, Time): Reducing the Proportion of Strokes Missed Using the FAST Mnemonic. Stroke. 2017;48(2):479-481. https://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.116.015169 (PMID 28082668). Accessed October 29, 2026.

Disclaimer

This article is for general education only and is not medical, legal, or financial advice. Talk to your doctor, a licensed attorney, or a SHIP counselor (Medicare) about your situation. In an emergency, call 911.

Attribution

Portions of this page are adapted from "HowToLiveBetter" (高性价比人生指南) by eternity4719, https://github.com/eternity4719/HowToLiveBetter, licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Changes: topic and evidence approach adapted from Chapter 13 (Emergencies); rewritten for the U.S. context and re-sourced to U.S. research and official guidance. Not a direct translation.