**B – Balance:** sudden loss of balance
**E – Eyes:** sudden vision changes
**F – Face:** one side of the face droops
**A – Arm:** sudden arm weakness or numbness
**S – Speech:** slurred or abnormal speech
**T – Time:** call emergency services immediately
The “T” is crucial because stroke treatment is time-sensitive.
## Why Acting Quickly Matters
During a stroke, brain cells may begin to die within minutes because they are not receiving enough oxygen and nutrients.
Some stroke treatments are most effective when given as quickly as possible.
Depending on the type of stroke and the patient’s condition, treatment may include:
* medicines that dissolve blood clots
* procedures to remove a clot from a blocked artery
* treatment to control bleeding
* management of blood pressure and other complications
