During a stroke, blood flow and oxygen are cut off to the brain. Call 911 or get to the emergency room quickly if you suspect that someone is having a stroke.

It is also important to watch out for a ministroke, also known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA). TIAs have the same symptoms as a stroke but last only a few minutes.

Know the Symptoms of a Stroke or TIA

• Numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg
• Confusion
• Slurred speech, trouble speaking, or understanding
• Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Difficulty walking
• Dizziness, loss of coordination or balance
• Severe headache with no known cause
• For women: Disorientation, confusion, or loss of consciousness

Act FAST
A simple way to recognize a stroke or a TIA is to remember the acronym FAST.

• Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
• Arm: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one drift downward?
• Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Is speech slurred?
• Time: If you observe any of these, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away.