Neurologists Urge Everyone to Learn These Stroke Warning Signs Before It's Too Late

A Medical Emergency Where Every Second Matters

Strokes are the fifth leading cause of death in the United States, causing 1 in 20 adult deaths. Yet despite those sobering numbers, many people still wouldn't recognize a stroke if they saw one — or if they were having one themselves. Neurologists are pushing back against that knowledge gap, stressing that awareness is one of the most powerful tools available.

"We have a saying in neurology that 'Time is Brain,'" said Dr. Paul Johnson, a neurohospitalist and Comprehensive Stroke Center Medical Director at Intermountain Medical Center. "Every second a person is having a stroke, 32,000 neurons die." Put another way, nearly 2 million brain cells die each minute a stroke goes untreated. That's not a statistic to sit with — it's a call to act.

What a Stroke Is and How to Spot One

A stroke is a term physicians use when a part of the brain is damaged because of a problem with blood flow. It can happen when an artery going to the brain gets clogged or closes off — which accounts for approximately 85% of strokes — or when an artery breaks open and starts bleeding into or around the brain.

Stroke symptoms go far beyond the well-known FAST acronym. Neurologists evaluate a broader checklist that includes level of consciousness, eye gaze, peripheral vision, facial movement, limb strength, coordination, sensation, language, speech clarity, and spatial neglect. The expanded version most experts now recommend is called BE FAST. The "B" stands for a sudden loss of balance or coordination, and the "E" covers sudden changes in vision — including blurred vision, double vision, or loss of sight in one or both eyes. From there, check the face for drooping, the arms for weakness, and the speech for slurring — then call 911 immediately.

A person having a stroke may not realize they're having one, and the stroke itself can make the person unaware of the problem — a condition called anosognosia. A person having a stroke has the best chance of recovery if someone around them recognizes the signs and acts fast. Don't wait for symptoms to worsen, and don't drive yourself to the hospital. Taking an ambulance allows medical personnel to begin life-saving treatment on the way to the emergency room.

Treatment Works — But Only If You Move Fast

The stroke treatments that work best are available only if the stroke is recognized and diagnosed within 3 hours of the first symptoms. Stroke patients may not be eligible for these treatments if they don't arrive at the hospital in time. At the hospital, doctors will confirm the stroke and determine what type it is, using imaging tests such as a CT scan or MRI to create pictures of the brain.

Don't dismiss symptoms that fade quickly, either. If stroke symptoms go away after a few minutes, it may be a transient ischemic attack (TIA), sometimes called a "mini-stroke." Although brief, a TIA is a sign of a serious condition that will not go away without medical help. Unfortunately, because TIAs clear up, many people ignore them — but paying attention to a TIA can save your life.

Most Strokes Are Preventable

Up to 80% of strokes in America are preventable. The number one stroke risk factor is high blood pressure. Patients can lower their risk by managing blood pressure, controlling cholesterol and blood sugar, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, eating a heart-healthy diet, avoiding smoking, limiting alcohol, and taking medications as prescribed.

As Dr. Johnson noted, "Stroke symptoms range from minor with no significant lasting effects to causing significant disability or death." The gap between those two outcomes often comes down to one thing: how quickly the people nearby respond. Learning the signs of a stroke isn't just useful medical trivia — it's one of the most practical, potentially life-saving things anyone can know.