Published : 06 Oct 2026, 12:27 AM
Updated : 06 Oct 2026, 12:27 AM
A stroke does not always begin with a dramatic collapse or paralysis. Sudden changes in speech, vision, balance or movement can be less obvious but may still require urgent medical attention, according to the Times of India.
The Times of India spoke to neurosurgeon Dr Sumeet Pawar, who said people can sometimes dismiss early stroke symptoms because they resemble everyday problems such as tiredness, poor sleep or stress.
Symptoms can include sudden weakness or numbness, difficulty speaking, blurred or changed vision, dizziness and problems with walking or balance. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists these among the major warning signs of stroke.
According to the Times of India, a transient ischaemic attack, or TIA, can make the situation harder to recognise because stroke-like symptoms may disappear completely.
Dr Pawar said feeling normal again should not be treated as reassurance, as a TIA can indicate a risk of a future stroke and still requires urgent medical assessment.
The report highlighted the BE FAST warning system: Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms, Speech and Time. This expands on the more familiar FAST approach by drawing attention to sudden balance and vision problems.
The Times of India quoted Pawar as stressing that a person does not need to experience every warning sign for it to be an emergency. A single sudden and unexplained neurological change can warrant immediate evaluation.
Pawar advised people to note when symptoms begin and seek emergency medical care immediately. He said early assessment can help doctors determine the type of stroke and whether time-sensitive treatment may be appropriate.
The report emphasised that symptoms lasting only a few minutes should not be ignored, particularly when there is a sudden unexplained change in speech, vision, movement or balance.
