Signs of a Stroke

Generally, signs of a stroke appear suddenly and may include confusion, dizziness, severe headache, and difficulty speaking or understanding speech. Other stroke-related symptoms can involve sudden weakness or numbness in the limbs or face (especially on one side of the body). Often, multiple signs of a stroke will appear at the same time. You should consider the onset of stroke-like symptoms to be an emergency -- call 911 immediately if you or someone else exhibits possible symptoms of a stroke.

 

Signs of a Stroke: An Overview

Even though a stroke occurs in the unseen reaches of the brain, signs of a stroke can be easy to spot. As a general rule, stroke-related symptoms appear suddenly, and often there is more than one sign of a stroke present at the same time. Therefore, a stroke can usually be distinguished from other causes of dizziness or headache.
 

Specific Signs of a Stroke

A person exhibiting possible signs of a stroke may need medical attention immediately. Signs and symptoms of a stroke often include:
 
  • Sudden confusion; trouble speaking or understanding speech
  • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes (such as double vision, blurred vision, or blindness)
  • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, and loss of balance or coordination
  • Sudden severe headache with no known cause
  • Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side of the body).
 
Other signs of a stroke that are less common, but still important, are sudden nausea, vomiting, brief loss of consciousness, or decreased consciousness, such as fainting and convulsions.
 

Act Fast When You See Signs of a Stroke

If you are having a stroke, you may not realize it because a stroke injures the brain. The people around you might not know that you are having a stroke, either. Your family, friends, or neighbors may think you are only confused, and you may not be able to call 911 on your own. This is why everyone should know the signs of stroke -- and know how to act fast.
 
Don't wait for the signs of a stroke to improve or worsen. If you believe you are having a stroke -- or someone you know is having a stroke -- call 911 immediately. Making the decision to call for medical help can make the difference in avoiding a lifelong disability.
 
New treatments are available that can greatly reduce the damage caused by a stroke. However, people who have had a stroke will need to arrive at the hospital within 60 minutes after symptoms start to prevent disability. Knowing stroke symptoms, calling 911 immediately, and getting to a hospital quickly are critical to minimizing the effects of stroke.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
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