Stroke Symptoms

Stroke symptoms may include sudden difficulty speaking or understanding speech, confusion, and numbness or weakness in the face or limbs (especially on one side of the body). Other symptoms associated with a stroke can include dizziness, loss of balance, and vomiting. In general, symptoms of a stroke appear suddenly; often, multiple symptoms are present at the same time. Call 911 immediately if you suspect that you or someone else is experiencing stroke symptoms.

 

An Overview of Stroke Symptoms

Even though a stroke occurs in the unseen reaches of the brain, stroke symptoms can be easy to spot. As a general rule, symptoms with a stroke appear suddenly, and often there is more than one stroke symptom present at the same time. Therefore, a stroke can usually be distinguished from other causes of dizziness or headache. Stroke symptoms may indicate that a person has had a stroke and requires medical attention immediately.
 

Specific Stroke Symptoms

For a person having a stroke, the symptoms may vary depending on which part of the brain is affected. Examples of specific stroke symptoms can include:
 
  • Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm, hand, or leg (especially on one side of the body)
  • Sudden confusion
  • Sudden trouble speaking or understanding speech
  • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes (such as double vision, blurred vision, or blindness)
  • Sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or trouble walking
  • Sudden loss of balance or coordination
  • Sudden severe headache with no known cause
  • Vomiting
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Spinning sensation (vertigo)
  • Sudden collapse
  • Seizures (in a small number of cases).
 
If you suspect you or someone you know is experiencing one or more of these stroke symptoms, do not wait for the symptoms to worsen or improve. Call 911 immediately.
 
There are now effective therapies for stroke that need to be administered at a hospital; however, they lose their effectiveness if they are not received within the first three hours after stroke-related symptoms appear.
 
Also, keep in mind that it is common for a stroke victim to protest or deny that he or she is having a stroke. If you notice a person exhibiting any of the possible symptoms of a stroke discussed above, get help right away.
 
(Stroke Symptoms Continued: Page 2)
Add this article to your Favorites     Email this article     Print
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD