Video narration
One side of your face suddenly droops. You try to speak, but the words won't come, or one arm feels weak. Think of the brain as a city supplied by delivery routes. In an ischemic stroke, a blood vessel to the brain becomes blocked-like a traffic jam sealing off a road. Blood flow drops, so less oxygen reaches brain cells beyond the blockage. This is not a temporary malfunction. Starved cells can become injured, and symptoms can worsen while the route stays blocked. Use FAST: Face-does one side droop? Arms-can both be lifted? Speech-does it sound strange or unclear? Time means act immediately. Call emergency services. Do not wait for symptoms to improve. FAST is a warning guide, not a diagnosis; only medical professionals can confirm the diagnosis. When sudden symptoms begin, treat them as an emergency: the blocked route makes every moment matter.