Stroke Warning Signs of a Stroke A stroke is a brain attack. Call 911 immediately.During a stroke, blood stops flowing to part of the brain. This can damage areas that control other parts of your body. Damage can begin within minutes and quick treatment can help increase the chances of a full and meaningful recovery. Call 911 and get help right away if any of these symptoms come on suddenly, even if the symptoms don’t last.Learn to recognize the warning signs of a stroke.Knowing the symptoms of stroke can make all the difference in saving a life:Weakness. You may feel a sudden weakness, tingling, or loss of feeling on one side of your face or body including your arm or legVision Problems. You may have sudden double vision or trouble seeing in one or both eyesSpeech Problems. You may have sudden trouble talking, slurred speech, or problems understanding others.Headache. You may have a sudden, severe headache.Movement problems. You may have sudden trouble walking, dizziness, a feeling of spinning, a loss of balance, a feeling of falling, or blackoutsSeizure. You may also have a seizure with a large or hemorrhagic stroke.B.E.F.A.S.TAn easy way to remember the signs and symptoms of stroke is to B.E.F.A.S.T!B = Balance: Does the person complain of sudden onset unsteadiness, dizziness or difficulty walking?E = Eyes: Does the person complain of narrowing vision, blurred vision, seeing dark or bright spots?F = Face: Ask the person to smile and show their teeth. Is the smile even or lop-sided? Is their face drooping?A = Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms and hold them straight out. Does one arm drift downward?S = Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence such as “You know how” or “Baseball bat”. Do the words sound slurred or garbled? Are they unable to speak or follow direction?T = Time: Time is of the essence. Call 911. Also knowing the time when the person was last seen “normal” will help determine the course of treatment. Our Stroke CentersIn Missouri, emergency medical services are mandated to take stroke patients to a center designated by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services as having the capability to treat strokes. CoxHealth has three designated stroke centers: Cox Medical Center South is a Level 1 Stroke CenterCox Medical Center Branson is a Level 3 Stroke CenterCox Monett is Level is a Level 4 Stroke CenterCox Barton County HospitalLearn more about our Stroke Centers. CoxHealth sets the standard for stroke care in Springfield, Branson and Monett. The CoxHealth stroke programs in Springfield, Branson and Monett are among a select few in the nation to earn the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's Get with the Guidelines - Stroke Gold & Silver Plus Performance Achievement Awards. What does that mean for you? At CoxHealth, you can trust in our compassionate, first-rate care without compromise. Learn More