Emergency Warning Signs

Stroke — FAST Signs

Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 911. Act within minutes.

Chest Pain

Pain, pressure, or tightness in the chest, especially with shortness of breath, sweating, or pain spreading to the arm or jaw.

Trouble Breathing

Severe difficulty breathing, gasping for air, or inability to speak in full sentences due to breathlessness.

Severe Headache

Sudden, severe headache — the 'worst headache of your life' — especially with confusion, vision changes, or weakness.

Blood Pressure Over 180/120 with Symptoms

Extremely high blood pressure with headache, chest pain, vision changes, shortness of breath, or confusion.

Sudden Confusion

Rapid onset of confusion, disorientation, or inability to think clearly, especially in someone who is normally alert.

Fainting

Sudden loss of consciousness, especially with no warning or if the person does not wake up quickly.

Seizure

Uncontrolled shaking, jerking movements, loss of consciousness, or a first-time seizure.

Blood Clot Warning Signs

Sudden swelling, pain, redness in one leg, OR sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, or coughing up blood (pulmonary embolism).

Serious Fall or Head Injury

A fall resulting in head injury, inability to get up, severe pain, or loss of consciousness.

Blue Lips or Severe Wheezing

Lips, fingertips, or skin turning blue or gray, or severe wheezing and inability to breathe.

Severe Low Blood Sugar Symptoms

Confusion, seizure, or loss of consciousness in someone with diabetes. Blood sugar below 54 mg/dL with severe symptoms.