Acting fast and understanding telltale symptoms are key to improving stroke survival and outcomes.

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), the signs of a stroke include numbness, tingling, and slurred speech as well as confusion, severe headache, and trouble walking or seeing.

"Time is very important when dealing with the brain and strokes," says Clinton B. Wright, M.D., M.S., of NINDS. "The longer you wait to get treatment, the more brain tissue is at risk."

Dr. Wright recommends memorizing the FAST symptoms, like these provided by the American Stroke Association.

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