Ask the person to smile.

Does one side of the face droop?

A — Arms

Ask them to raise both arms.

Does one arm drift downward?

S — Speech

Ask them to repeat a simple sentence.

Is their speech slurred, strange, or difficult?

T — Time

Time matters.

If these symptoms appear suddenly, call emergency medical services immediately.

Do not wait for the symptoms to disappear.

Do not drive the person yourself if emergency medical transport is available. Emergency medical teams can begin assessment and treatment planning before the patient reaches the hospital.

Why Timing Matters So Much

Stroke treatment is often highly time-sensitive.

Some ischemic strokes are caused by a blood clot blocking an artery supplying the brain. Depending on the circumstances, doctors may use medications to dissolve the clot or perform procedures to physically remove it.

These treatments have specific eligibility requirements and time windows.

The sooner the patient reaches medical care, the sooner doctors can determine whether one of these treatments is appropriate.

This is why waiting at home can be dangerous.

What About the “One Month Before a Stroke” Claim?

This is where viral health content can become misleading.

There is no scientifically established rule stating that everyone experiences 10 symptoms exactly one month before a stroke.