Any sign of stroke: call 911 right away. Do not drive to the hospital, and do not let someone drive you.

Call 911 Note the time

Stroke: B.E. F.A.S.T.

During a stroke, every minute counts. Tap any sign you see. One sign is enough to call 911.

1. Check for these signs

B Balance. Ask: do you feel off-balance or dizzy?
E Eyes. Ask: are you having trouble seeing?
F Face. Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
A Arms. Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift down?
S Speech. Ask the person to repeat a short sentence. Is the speech slurred or strange?

T: Time. If you see any of these signs, call 911 right away. Source: CDC

You marked a stroke sign. Call 911 now.
Call 911

Other sudden signs CDC lists: numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg, mostly on one side; confusion or trouble understanding; trouble walking; a sudden severe headache with no known cause. Source: CDC

2. Note the time the symptoms started

CDC: note the time when any symptoms first appear. It helps the care team pick the best treatment. The treatments that work best need the stroke found within 3 hours of the first symptoms. Source: CDC

Or they started earlier, at:

The time stays on this page. It is not saved and not sent. Close the page and it is gone.

3. The signs went away after a few minutes?

That may have been a transient ischemic attack (TIA), sometimes called a “mini-stroke.” CDC says it is a sign of a serious condition that will not go away without medical help. Tell a health care team about it right away. Do not wait to see if it happens again. Source: CDC

4. Why this page is on a blood pressure site

High blood pressure is a leading cause of stroke. Lowering it lowers the risk. Source: CDC Start with what your reading means and a week of home readings.

What this page is

A checklist for the moment, not a diagnosis. If you are not sure, call 911 anyway. The 911 team decides.
Print it and keep it on the fridge: the signs and “Call 911” print on one page.
Nothing leaves this page. The boxes and the time are not saved or sent. No account.

Next stops

What your reading meansEnter a reading; see its category and what to do first.Find the saltRead the sodium line on a food label in 10 seconds.Heart attack signsChest pain and the other signs, at hearthealth.help.

Sources

CDC: Signs and Symptoms of Stroke (May 19, 2026; checked 2026-10-27). B.E. F.A.S.T., the sudden signs, “note the time,” the 3-hour window, “do not drive,” and the TIA advice are from this page, in our words.
CDC: Stroke Risk Factors (checked 2026-10-27). “High blood pressure is a leading cause of stroke,” and lowering it lowers the risk.