Warning Signs of Stroke

Stroke symptoms often happen suddenly, and every person’s symptoms may vary. The warning signs of stroke include:

• Weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg, usually on one side of the body
• Trouble speaking or understanding
• Problems with vision, such as dimness or loss of vision in one or both eyes
• Dizziness or problems with balance or coordination
• Problems with movement or walking
• Fainting or seizure
• Severe headaches with no known cause, especially if they happen suddenly

Other less common symptoms of stroke may include:

• Sudden nausea or vomiting not caused by a viral illness
• Brief loss or change of consciousness, such as fainting, confusion, seizures or coma

Transient ischemic attack

Called a mini-stroke, a transient ischemic attack (TIA) can cause many of the same symptoms as a stroke. But TIA symptoms are passing. They can last for a few minutes or up to 24 hours. Always seek immediate medical help if you suspect a stroke or TIA.

Think FAST

The National Stroke Association’s acronym FAST can help you quickly determine whether someone is having a stroke:

• F (Face): Ask the person to smile. Does one side of his or her face droop?
• A (Arms): Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
• S (Speech): Ask for a simple phrase (such as, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks”) to be repeated. Is speech slurred or hard to understand?
• T (Time): If you observe any of these signs, go to the hospital or clinic immediately.