* One corner of the mouth droops
* The smile becomes uneven
* One eye or side of the face appears lower
* The person says their face feels numb
The **F in FAST** stands for Face because facial drooping is one of the classic warning signs.
Ask the person to smile. If one side does not move normally, treat it as an emergency.
## 4. Trouble Speaking or Understanding Words
A TIA can temporarily affect the areas of the brain responsible for language.
Someone may suddenly:
* Slur words
* Speak strangely
* Struggle to find simple words
* Say sentences that do not make sense
* Be unable to understand what others are saying
Speech difficulty is one of the central FAST warning signs.
Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Any sudden abnormal speech should be taken seriously.
## 5. Sudden Vision Problems
Temporary vision changes are another possible sign.
Symptoms can include:
* Blurred vision
* Double vision
* Partial loss of sight
* Complete loss of vision in one eye
* Sudden difficulty seeing in both eyes
The American Stroke Association includes sudden blindness or vision changes among TIA warning signs.
Because the symptom may disappear quickly, a person might assume that their eyes were simply tired. But a sudden unexplained visual change needs urgent assessment.
## 6. Sudden Dizziness or Vertigo
A TIA can affect areas of the brain responsible for balance and coordination.
Possible symptoms include:
* Sudden dizziness
* A spinning sensation
* Difficulty standing
* Feeling pulled to one side
* Sudden instability while walking
Dizziness alone is very common and can have many harmless causes.
But sudden dizziness combined with weakness, speech difficulty, visual changes, or loss of coordination is much more concerning.
## 7. Loss of Balance or Coordination
Some people suddenly become unable to move normally.
They may:
* Stagger
* Walk unusually
* Drop objects
* Have difficulty coordinating a hand or arm
* Need support to remain standing
Balance loss is important enough to be included in the **B.E. F.A.S.T.** stroke-recognition method.
Any sudden and unexplained loss of coordination deserves emergency attention.
## 8. Sudden Confusion
A TIA may temporarily affect the ability to think clearly or understand information.
A person might:
