What Does a Stroke Feel Like? Recognizing the Early Warning Signs

May is Stroke Awareness Month, but understanding stroke symptoms is important all year long. A stroke can happen anytime, anywhere and to anyone—regardless of age or health status. The key to protecting yourself and your loved ones is knowing what a stroke feels like and acting fast.

What Does a Stroke Feel Like?

A stroke happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is suddenly disrupted, cutting off the oxygen and nutrients that brain cells need to survive. Depending on the type of stroke—either a blockage (ischemic stroke) or a rupture (hemorrhagic stroke)—the symptoms may feel slightly different. However, they always come on suddenly and require immediate action.

Here's what a stroke might feel like in the moment:

Sudden dizziness or loss of balance: You may feel like the room is spinning, you can't stand straight, or you're stumbling without reason. Many people mistake this symptom for vertigo or dehydration, but it can be an early warning sign of stroke.

• Numbness or tingling, especially on one side of the body: A strange sensation of your face, arm, or leg "falling asleep" without warning can signal a stroke. This numbness is often isolated to one side.
• Facial droop: You might feel a sudden heaviness in your face or notice your smile looks uneven when you try to move your facial muscles.
• Slurred or garbled speech: Speaking can suddenly become difficult. Words might come out jumbled, or you may feel like your mouth isn’t moving the way you want it to.
• Difficulty finding words: Some people experience an inability to speak or form clear sentences, even though they know what they want to say.
• Weakness in an arm or leg: A stroke can make a limb feel weak, heavy, or difficult to move—again, often on just one side of the body.
• Vision problems: Double vision, blurred vision, or complete loss of vision in one or both eyes can occur without warning.

If you experience any of these symptoms, even if they seem to improve or go away, it’s critical to seek emergency care immediately. Time lost is brain lost.

How to Spot a Stroke: BEFAST

To make it easier to recognize a stroke, remember the acronym BEFAST:

B - Balance: Sudden loss of balance or coordination
E - Eyes: Sudden vision changes
F - Face: Facial drooping or numbness
A - Arms: Arm weakness or tingling
S - Speech: Slurred or difficult speech
T - Time: Time to call 911 immediately

Symptoms of stroke happen suddenly, and it’s important to act FAST. Many people hesitate, thinking the symptoms will go away, but waiting can lead to permanent brain damage. Call 911 right away—ambulance paramedics can begin stroke treatment on the way to the hospital, increasing the chance of a better recovery.

Why Immediate Action Matters

The symptoms you experience at the start of a stroke are often the same symptoms you’ll live with if the stroke isn’t treated quickly. Fast treatment can restore blood flow to the brain, prevent further damage, and improve recovery outcomes.

Calling 911 is the fastest and safest way to get care. Paramedics are trained to recognize stroke symptoms, start critical treatments immediately, and transport you quickly to a hospital that can provide specialized stroke care.

Lowering Your Risk for Stroke

While you can’t always prevent a stroke, you can lower your risk by working closely with a primary care provider. Regular checkups to manage blood pressure, cholesterol and overall cardiovascular health can make a big difference. Healthy eating, exercise and not smoking also help reduce stroke risk.

Remember: knowing what a stroke feels like and responding quickly can save lives—including your own. This Stroke Awareness Month, take a few minutes to learn the signs. It’s knowledge you could need at any time, for yourself or someone you love.

Put Your Care in the Hands of Accredited Stroke Specialists

If you or a loved one may be experiencing a stroke, don’t wait, first call 911—then get to a trusted stroke center immediately. Norman Regional Health System is proud to be an Advanced Primary Stroke Center, certified by The Joint Commission and recognized nationally for delivering fast, high-quality stroke care.

Our Stroke Center of Excellence offers complete care—from emergency treatment to rehabilitation—and our team has earned top honors like the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award.

When every second counts, you can trust Norman Regional to deliver the expert care you need, right when you need it.