PanicStation.org
UK USA
us Health & medical scares

What to do if…
someone develops sudden facial drooping or weakness on one side

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy USA guide

Short answer

Call 911 immediately and say the person has sudden facial drooping or one-sided weakness and may be having a stroke. Do not wait to see whether it passes, even if the symptoms improve.

Do not do these things

  • Do not drive the person to the hospital or ask someone else to drive them instead of calling 911.
  • Do not wait for more symptoms or let the person sleep it off.
  • Do not give aspirin or any new medicine unless a 911 dispatcher or clinician specifically instructs you to.
  • Do not spend time trying to decide whether the cause is a stroke, Bell palsy, migraine, or something else.
  • Do not leave the person alone while waiting for emergency responders.

What to do now

  1. Call 911. Put the phone on speaker and say, “Possible stroke: sudden facial drooping or weakness on one side.”
  2. Note when the symptoms first appeared. If the person woke with them or the starting time is unclear, note when they were last known to be without the symptoms.
  3. Keep the person in a safe place and stay with them. Help them sit or lie down if they are unsteady, and follow the dispatcher’s instructions.
  4. Tell the dispatcher about any sudden arm or leg weakness, numbness, trouble speaking, confusion, vision changes, severe headache, dizziness, or loss of balance.
  5. Be ready to tell responders about the person’s medications, allergies, medical conditions, and whether they take blood-thinning medicine. Gather medication containers or a written list only if doing so does not delay care.
  6. Unlock the door and move pets away if you can do so safely. If the person becomes unresponsive or is not breathing normally, tell the dispatcher immediately and follow their instructions.

What can wait

You do not need to identify the cause, contact the person’s regular doctor, choose a hospital, arrange work or family matters, or research treatment options now. Those tasks can wait until emergency help is on the way.

Important reassurance

Calling 911 is appropriate even when you are uncertain or the symptoms begin to improve. Sudden facial drooping or one-sided weakness requires emergency assessment, and ambulance personnel can begin care and alert the hospital during transport.

Scope note

This guide covers immediate first steps during a possible stroke or similar medical emergency. Diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and later decisions require assessment by qualified health care professionals.

Important note

This is general information and not medical advice or a diagnosis. Follow instructions from 911, emergency responders, and treating clinicians.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

Support us