Stroke Warning Signs

Can you recognize stroke symptoms? 

Signs of a stroke are indications that the brain isn't getting enough oxygen. Call for help immediately if you or someone around you experiences one or more of these stroke warning signs.  

• Sudden weakness, paralysis or numbness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden onset of double vision, dimness or loss of vision
• Sudden difficulty speaking or understanding language
• Sudden severe headache without apparent cause
• Unexplained dizziness, unsteadiness or loss of balance, especially in combination with other stroke symptoms 

Sometimes, people will experience stroke symptoms that disappear within a few minutes. These "mini-strokes" - transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) - are caused by temporary interruptions to the blood supply of the brain. TIAs are a risk factor for stroke and shouldn't be ignored. About one-third of people who have a TIA will eventually have a stroke, one-third will continue to experience occasional TIAs, and the final third won't have further stroke symptoms. Your doctor will perform tests to determine the cause of TIAs and treat the problem through surgery or medication, if possible.

If you or someone around you experiences signs of a stroke, call 911 immediately as it could save a life.