Stroke Symptoms
“Learn to recognize stroke symptoms: because time lost, is brain lost.”
- American Stroke Association
And it’s true. The quicker a stroke can be diagnosed, the greater the chances of preventing brain damage or death. The best weapon against a stroke is awareness, so as the motto says, it’s time for some education:
Stroke Symptoms
The most common of stroke symptoms is an unexpected, sudden weakness of the face, arm or leg, frequently on one side of the body.
Other stroke symptoms can include:
- Trouble talking or understanding.
- Unexplained dizziness
- Poor or blurred or vision in one or both eyes
- Loss of balance or coordination
- Difficulty swallowing
- Severe headache or unexplained change in the pattern of headaches
- Confusion
- Unconsciousness
Stroke symptoms will depend on the hemisphere (side) of the brain that's affected, what part of the brain (functions) were damaged, and how severe the damage is. As such, each individual may experience different stroke symptoms or warning signs. Some may experience headache, some no pain at all.
If you or someone you know is experiencing these stroke symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately! Whatever you do, do not try and diagnose the problem yourself, and do not wait to see if the stroke symptoms clear up on their own. Treatment is available, but only if you act fast (3 hours is the limit).
Stroke symptoms may occur by themselves, or all at once – with duration ranging from a few seconds up to 24 hours. Even short bursts of stroke symptoms cannot be ignored, because they indicate blood flow problems which could trigger a major stroke.
