A stroke can happen suddenly, making it important to recognize the warning signs and know when to seek emergency medical attention.
The American Stroke Association recommends remembering B.E. F.A.S.T.: Sudden Balance loss, Eye or vision changes, Face drooping, Arm weakness or Speech difficulty means it is Time to call 911. Sudden numbness or weakness, confusion or a severe headache with no known cause can also be warning signs.
What should you do if you suspect a stroke?
If you notice a possible stroke warning sign, don’t wait to see whether it goes away. According to Shazia Mirza, MD, neurologist at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Grapevine, approximately 1.9 million brain cells are lost every minute during a stroke.
Clifford Simmang, MD, MS, chief medical officer at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Grapevine, said the first step should be calling 911 and being prepared to describe the symptoms and when they started.
“If you think someone may be having a stroke, it’s important to call 911. We often say ‘time is brain.’ The sooner a patient can be evaluated to get the right treatment started, the better,” Dr. Simmang said.
Calling 911 also allows the evaluation process to begin before the patient reaches the hospital. EMS personnel can assess patients during transport and alert the emergency department that a possible stroke patient is on the way.
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Grapevine works with more than 20 area EMS agencies and uses an early-notification program that allows its care team to prepare for a patient’s arrival.
“When we know a possible stroke patient is on the way, we can start getting the right people ready before they arrive,” Dr. Simmang said. “That communication helps streamline the process so the team can focus on evaluating the patient and determining the next steps as quickly as possible.”
What if stroke symptoms go away?
Even if symptoms improve or disappear, seeking emergency medical attention remains important. Temporary stroke-like symptoms may indicate a transient ischemic attack, or TIA.
“Even if symptoms seem mild or go away, it’s still important to get evaluated,” Dr. Mirza said. “Sometimes what people call a ‘mini-stroke,’ or TIA, can be a warning sign. Getting checked quickly gives us the opportunity to understand what happened and determine what care may be needed.”
What happens when you arrive at the ER?
When a patient arrives with possible stroke symptoms, the care team quickly assesses their condition and works to identify what type of stroke may be occurring. Imaging, such as a CT scan, can help physicians determine what is happening and guide treatment decisions.
“One of the first things we need to understand is what type of stroke may be happening, because that helps guide what comes next,” Dr. Mirza said. “The ER physicians and neurologists work closely together to evaluate the patient and determine which treatments may be appropriate. And we keep patients and families informed along the way.”
Why do stroke care capabilities matter?
In an emergency, there may be little time to consider a hospital’s capabilities. Understanding the stroke care resources available in your community ahead of time, including the different levels of care, can help patients and families feel more prepared.
As a Comprehensive Stroke Center, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Grapevine offers stroke care that can include medications, procedures, surgery and rehabilitation, depending on a patient’s needs. The hospital is also rated High Performing in Stroke by U.S. News & World Report for 2026-27.
Dr. Simmang emphasized the importance of having these resources available in one place.
“With a possible stroke, patients need to get to a hospital that has the resources to determine what’s happening and what treatment may be appropriate,” Dr. Simmang said. “As a Comprehensive Stroke Center, we have the team and resources in place to care for patients who may need any level of stroke treatment.”
At Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Grapevine, stroke services extend from immediate care through rehabilitation and recovery, with physicians and other specialists working together to address each patient’s individual needs.
“Every stroke is different, so the care someone needs can be different, too,” Dr. Mirza said. “Having specialists and treatment options available allows us to understand what’s happening and tailor care to the individual patient.”
Know the signs. Don’t wait.
Recognizing the warning signs of a stroke and knowing how to respond can make a difference. Remember B.E. F.A.S.T., and if symptoms appear, call 911.
Click here to learn more about Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Grapevine’s stroke treatments today.
Why is it better to call 911 instead of driving a suspected stroke patient to the hospital yourself?
Calling 911 allows the medical evaluation process to begin before the patient even reaches the hospital. EMS personnel can assess the patient during transport and alert the emergency department that a possible stroke patient is on the way.
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Grapevine works with more than 20 area EMS agencies and uses an early-notification program. This communication allows the hospital's care team to prepare and get the right people ready before the patient arrives, which helps streamline the process so the team can focus on evaluating the patient as quickly as possible.
What does the acronym B.E. F.A.S.T. stand for when trying to recognize the warning signs of a stroke?
The American Stroke Association recommends remembering B.E. F.A.S.T. to identify stroke warning signs. The letters stand for Sudden Balance loss, Eye or vision changes, Face drooping, Arm weakness and Speech difficulty. The final letter, T, indicates that it is Time to call 911.
How many brain cells are lost every minute during a stroke?
According to Shazia Mirza, MD, a neurologist at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Grapevine, approximately 1.9 million brain cells are lost every minute during a stroke.
The above story was produced by the Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Grapevine team with Community Impact's Storytelling team, using information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
Physicians provide clinical services as members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Scott & White Health’s subsidiary, community, or affiliated medical centers and do not provide clinical services as employees or agents of Baylor Scott & White Health or those medical centers.
