10 Early Warning Signs of a Stroke Everyone Should Know to Take Prompt Action

10 early warning signs of a stroke

1. Sudden facial drooping — one side of the face may feel weak or look uneven when smiling.
2. Sudden weakness in an arm — especially weakness or numbness on one side of the body.
3. Sudden leg weakness or numbness — particularly affecting one side.
4. Sudden trouble speaking — speech may become slurred, unclear, or difficult to produce.
5. Sudden difficulty understanding speech — the person may become confused or unable to understand what others are saying.
6. Sudden vision changes — blurred or lost vision in one or both eyes.
7. Sudden dizziness or loss of balance — difficulty walking, coordinating movements, or staying upright.
8. Sudden severe headache — especially a very intense headache with no known cause.
9. Sudden confusion — an abrupt change in thinking, awareness, or ability to communicate.
10. Sudden loss of consciousness or fainting — this can occur with a serious stroke and requires immediate emergency care.