A stroke can happen suddenly, but some people experience warning symptoms beforehand. Recognizing these symptoms is important because prompt medical attention can reduce the risk of serious complications and disability.
A common misconception is that everyone experiences warning signs exactly one month before a stroke. In reality, a stroke can occur without any advance warning, while some people experience a transient ischemic attack (TIA), sometimes called a mini-stroke, hours or days before a more serious event.
Understanding the warning signs, knowing which symptoms require emergency care, and taking steps to protect your cardiovascular health can help save lives.
1. Sudden Weakness or Numbness on One Side of the Body
One of the most recognizable signs of a stroke is sudden weakness or numbness affecting the face, arm, or leg, particularly on one side.
You might notice that:
- One arm feels unusually weak.
- One side of your face appears to droop.
- You have difficulty lifting an arm.
- One leg suddenly feels heavy or difficult to control.
These symptoms can indicate that blood flow to part of the brain has been interrupted.
What to do: If these symptoms appear suddenly, seek emergency medical assistance immediately, even if they disappear after a few minutes.
2. Sudden Difficulty Speaking or Understanding Others
A stroke can affect the areas of the brain responsible for language.
Possible symptoms include:
- Slurred or unclear speech.
- Difficulty finding the right words.
- Speaking in sentences that do not make sense.
- Difficulty understanding what other people are saying.
These changes may occur without pain, which is one reason they can be overlooked.
What to do: Sudden speech difficulties require immediate emergency assessment. Do not wait to see whether they improve.
3. Sudden Vision Problems
Changes in vision can sometimes indicate a stroke or another urgent medical condition.
Warning signs include:
- Sudden loss of vision in one eye.
- Blurred or double vision that begins abruptly.
- Losing part of your field of vision.
- Difficulty seeing objects on one side.
Vision problems do not always indicate a stroke, but sudden changes should never be dismissed.
What to do: Seek emergency medical care for sudden vision loss or other abrupt visual disturbances.
4. Sudden Dizziness or Loss of Balance
Some strokes, particularly those affecting the back of the brain, can cause problems with balance and coordination.
You may experience:
- Sudden difficulty walking.
- A feeling that the room is spinning.
- Loss of coordination.
- Unexplained unsteadiness.
- Difficulty standing without support.
Dizziness alone is common and has many possible causes. However, sudden severe dizziness accompanied by difficulty walking, double vision, weakness, or speech problems can indicate a stroke.
What to do: Treat these symptoms as an emergency when they begin suddenly, especially when accompanied by other neurological changes.
5. A Sudden, Severe Headache
See more on the next page