A stroke is a medical emergency that usually happens without much warning. While some people have warning signs beforehand, many do not. Any sudden neurological symptoms should be treated as an emergency.
Warning signs that should never be ignored
- Sudden numbness or weakness
- Especially on one side of the face, arm, or leg.
- A drooping face or difficulty lifting one arm are classic signs.
- Sudden trouble speaking or understanding
- Slurred speech.
- Difficulty finding words.
- Confusion or trouble understanding others.
- Sudden vision changes
- Blurred or double vision.
- Loss of vision in one or both eyes.
- Sudden dizziness or loss of balance
- Trouble walking.
- Loss of coordination or unexplained falls.
- Sudden severe headache
- A very intense headache with no obvious cause, especially if accompanied by other neurological symptoms.
- This is more common in strokes caused by bleeding in the brain.
The FAST test
A simple way to recognize many strokes is FAST:
- F – Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side droop?
- A – Arms: Ask them to raise both arms. Does one drift downward?
- S – Speech: Is speech slurred or difficult?
- T – Time: If you notice any of these signs, call your local emergency services immediately.
A possible warning before a stroke
Some people experience a transient ischemic attack (TIA), sometimes called a “mini-stroke.” A TIA causes stroke-like symptoms that resolve within minutes or hours, but it is a serious warning that a full stroke may occur. Even if symptoms disappear, urgent medical evaluation is needed.
Risk factors
Factors that increase stroke risk include:
- hypertension
- diabetes mellitus
- Smoking
- High cholesterol
- atrial fibrillation
- Older age
Bottom line
The most important feature of stroke symptoms is that they are sudden. If you or someone else develops sudden weakness, trouble speaking, vision changes, severe dizziness, or a severe unexplained headache, seek emergency medical care immediately. Prompt treatment can greatly improve the chances of recovery.
