A stroke is a brain attack that strikes suddenly. The easiest way to spot it is to think FAST.

F—Face: Ask the person to smile. One side may droop or feel numb.

A—Arm: Have them raise both arms. One arm drifts down or feels weak.

S—Speech: Listen for slurred words, mixed-up sentences, or trouble naming simple objects.

T—Time: If any of these signs show up, call emergency services right away; every minute counts.

Beyond FAST, other clues appear. Vision can blur or go black in one or both eyes. Walking turns wobbly, as if the floor is moving. A sudden, thunderclap headache—often called the worst ever—may come with neck stiffness, vomiting, or light bothering the eyes.

Some people feel dizzy, lose balance, or fall without warning. Others notice one side of the body feels heavy or tingles like it is asleep. Swallowing may choke on water, or the tongue feels thick.

Mood can swing fast: calm one moment, tearful or confused the next. Memory slips, and the person may not realize anything is wrong.