Stroke Symptoms

Experiencing stroke symptoms? Call 9-1-1 immediately!

B.E. F.A.S.T. is an easy way to remember the sudden signs of stroke. When you can spot the signs, you'll know that you need to call 9-1-1 for help right away.

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

 Balance loss – Does the person have a sudden loss of balance?

Eyesight changes – Has the person lost vision in one or both eyes?

Face Drooping – Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person's smile uneven?

 Arm Weakness – Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

 Speech Difficulty – Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a sentence like "The sky is blue." Is it repeated correctly?

 Time to call 9-1-1 – If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get the person to the hospital immediately. Check the time so you'll know when the first symptoms appeared.

Other Stroke Symptoms

• • • Sudden confusion
    • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
    • Sudden trouble walking or loss of balance
    • Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

Learn more stroke signs and symptoms.

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Telestroke Services

As a Duke Health affiliate, Person Memorial Hospital has access to Duke stroke specialists, ensuring prompt evaluation and treatment for stroke patients. Duke Telestroke team collaborates on stroke protocols and provides quality reviews and education based on national stroke guidelines. This affiliation will streamline the care process, expediting the transfer of patients requiring complex procedures to specialized facilities.

The Duke Telestroke Network enables remote consultations between Duke neurologists and patients via two-way telemedicine video conferencing. Using state-of-the-art technology, neurologists can evaluate patients, review CT scans, and collaborate with local medical teams to determine the most appropriate course of action. When necessary, patients can be swiftly transferred for advanced procedures.

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