When a stroke strikes—whether from a ruptured or blocked blood vessel in the brain—every second counts. Delayed treatment can lead to permanent disability or even death. In this article, Bangkok Hospital Pattaya highlights the BE FAST stroke warning signs and other symptoms that may indicate an increased risk of stroke.
Symptoms of Stroke in Different Brain Regions
Stroke symptoms vary depending on which part of the brain is affected. The brain can be divided into four major areas:
- Right cerebral hemisphere
- Left cerebral hemisphere
- Cerebellum
- Brainstem
Each area controls different bodily functions. Regardless of the type—ischemic (blocked), hemorrhagic (ruptured), or other vascular abnormalities—the location of the stroke will determine the symptoms.
For example, a stroke in the right hemisphere may cause left-sided muscle weakness, blurred vision in the left eye, and memory problems.
A stroke in the cerebellum may result in balance issues, dizziness, nausea, or vomiting.
10 Warning Signs of Stroke to Watch For
Stroke symptoms often affect the nervous and muscular systems. While the BE FAST signs are widely known, there are other symptoms that may also indicate a stroke is occurring.
BE FAST: The Emergency Stroke Signs
The BE FAST guideline helps you quickly assess for signs of a stroke. Watch for these six symptoms:
1. B – Balance: Sudden Loss of Balance
This symptom often results from a stroke in the part of the brain responsible for coordination. Warning signs include:
- Staggering or stumbling while walking
- Difficulty standing or sitting upright
- Needing to hold onto walls or rails for support
2. E – Eyes: Blurred or Distorted Vision
Vision problems are common in stroke cases. They may include:
- Partial or complete loss of vision in one or both eyes
- Sudden blurry or distorted vision
- Double vision
- Dimmed or overly bright vision
- Visual blind spots or patchy vision
3. F – Face: Facial Drooping or Asymmetry
This is a classic sign of stroke. It occurs when the stroke affects the part of the brain that controls facial muscles. Look for:
- One side of the mouth drooping
- Uneven smile
- Inability to raise both eyebrows equally
- Drooping eyelid
- Saliva drooling from one corner of the mouth
4. A – Arms: Sudden Weakness in Arm or Leg
Like facial muscle weakness, this symptom indicates brain damage affecting muscle control. Test it by asking the person to raise both arms. If one arm drifts downward on its own, this may be a sign of stroke.
5. S – Speech: Slurred or Distorted Speech
Speech difficulties may arise suddenly. Stroke-related language issues include:
- Slurred or garbled speech
- Difficulty finding words
- Inability to speak clearly or fluently
- Speaking nonsense or inappropriately structured sentences
6. T – Time: Act Immediately
If any BE FAST symptoms occur, time is critical. Brain cells start dying within minutes after a stroke begins. Getting treatment within 4.5 hours is vital to improve recovery chances. Any delay can result in irreversible brain damage.
Other Possible Stroke Symptoms
In addition to the BE FAST signs, there are other symptoms that may appear suddenly and should not be ignored:
7. Numbness in Body Parts
Stroke patients may experience numbness along with or without muscle weakness. This may feel like:
- Tingling or pins-and-needles sensation
- Numb or thickened skin on the face, hands, feet, or limbs
- A sensation similar to mild electric shock
8. Confusion or Disorientation
If the stroke affects brain areas related to cognition or judgment, symptoms may include:
- Confusion about time, place, or identity
- Difficulty understanding simple instructions
- Inability to recognize familiar people or surroundings
9. Difficulty Understanding Language
In addition to speaking difficulties, stroke may affect comprehension and language processing. Symptoms may include:
- Trouble understanding spoken or written language
- Inability to recall words
- Speaking in a disorganized or illogical manner
10. Sudden, Severe Headache
While headaches can have many causes, a sudden, intense headache—especially without a known history—may indicate a hemorrhagic stroke. This requires immediate medical evaluation.
Summary: 10 Critical Stroke Warning Signs
Understanding these signs is crucial because stroke is a medical emergency that can lead to brain tissue damage from:
- Ischemic stroke: blood vessel blockage
- Hemorrhagic stroke: ruptured blood vessels causing brain hemorrhage
Quick recognition and urgent hospital transfer can improve survival rates and reduce the risk of long-term disability.
If you or someone around you shows any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately.
For further consultation or appointments, contact the Brain and Neurology Center at Bangkok Hospital Pattaya through any of our communication channels.
The importance of recognizing various symptoms of stroke comes from the critical nature of the disease, especially if acute brain ischemia occurs from brain blood vessel blockage, and brain congestion from brain blood vessel rupture. If we can observe prominent symptoms of this disease quickly and seek help, or rush to take patients to the hospital, it will help increase treatment opportunities and increase chances of recovery from disability.
If you have any questions, you can make appointments, inquire about information, or consult with the Neuroscience Center team through all contact channels of Bangkok Hospital Pattaya.
