What are the warning signs of a stroke?

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  1. Dr. Mehmet Oz
     
    Dr. Mehmet Oz answered:
    Here are a few of the more common signs a stroke is underway, and the tests that are a tipoff.
     
    Sign: paralysis, numbness, weakness or pain in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
    Tipoff: uneven strength or symmetry when asked to show teeth, raise eyebrows, close eyes, pressing, lifting, walking or imitate a movement
     
    Sign: sudden confusion
    Tipoff: not able to recall where they are, a calendar date or their age correctly
     
    Sign: trouble speaking or understanding speech
    Tipoff: inability to identify an image, read, speak or follow directions smoothly, have slurred and incoherent speech

    Sign: sudden visual disturbances or trouble seeing clearly in one or both eyes, unusual gaze
    Tipoff: unable to follow finger gaze or see correct number of fingers
     
    Sign: sudden trouble with walking, dizziness or loss of balance or coordination
    Tipoff: uneven or faltering gait, failing the finger-nose-finger test
     
    Sign: sudden severe headache
    Tipoff: this is often called the worst headache you ever had
     
    If you have any signs of stroke, even if they are fleeting, seek immediate medical attention. Call 911 or have someone drive you (do not drive yourself).
    Helpful? 1 person found this helpful
    More Related Answers from Dr. Mehmet Oz
    Here are a few of the more common signs a stroke is underway, and the tests that are a tipoff. Sign: paralysis, numbness, weakness or pain in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the bodyTipoff: uneven strength or symmetry when asked... More
  2. Strokes strike suddenly. In many cases, people will first experience an excruciating headache. Other symptoms include:

    • paralysis;
    • difficulty speaking;
    • confusion;
    • loss of feeling;
    • difficulty seeing;
    • seizures;
    • nausea and vomiting.

    A stroke is a serious condition that requires emergency medical care.

    Helpful? 1 person found this helpful
    Strokes strike suddenly. In many cases, people will first experience an excruciating headache. Other symptoms include: paralysis; difficulty speaking; confusion; loss of feeling; difficulty seeing; seizures; nausea and vomiting. A stroke is a... More
  3. SCAI
     
    SCAI answered:
    Often a stroke victim will have no warning symptoms. However, some patients do experience warning signs in the form of a transient ischemic attack (TIA), sometimes referred to as a "mini-stroke." TIA symptoms caninclude numbness or paralysis (usually on one side of the body), difficulty speaking or understanding, and temporarily dimmed or blurred vision. These TIA symptoms resolve within a few minutes or hours (thus the term mini- stroke), but that does not mean you should not take action. Those symptoms are your body's warning to contact your doctor right away.

    TIA symptoms can be caused by plaque build-up in the carotid arteries, which can be found during an examination by your doctor or through an ultrasound test of the neck arteries.

    Helpful? 1 person found this helpful
    More Related Answers from SCAI
    Often a stroke victim will have no warning symptoms. However, some patients do experience warning signs in the form of a transient ischemic attack (TIA), sometimes referred to as a "mini-stroke." TIA symptoms caninclude numbness or paralysis... More
  4. Dr. Amy E. Balka
     

    The symptoms of an acute stroke often occur quickly and can manifest in many ways.  Here is a list of common signs of a stroke:

    • Loss of strength and coordination on one side of the body 
    • Loss of feeling or numbness
    • Drooping of one side of the face
    • Vision problems 
    • Trouble speaking
    • Trouble standing and walking
    • Confusion
    • Dizziness
    More Related Answers from Riverside Primary Care Physicians
    The symptoms of an acute stroke often occur quickly and can manifest in many ways.  Here is a list of common signs of a stroke: Loss of strength and coordination on one side of the body  Loss of feeling or numbness Drooping of one side of... More
  5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
     
    When responding to a stroke, every minute counts. The sooner a patient receives medical treatment, the lower the risk for death or disability. If you or someone you know exhibits the following signs or symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately:
    • numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
    • confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding
    • trouble seeing in one or both eyes
    • trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance and coordination
    • severe headache with no known cause
    Remember, getting immediate medical attention for stroke is crucial to preventing disability and death, so don't delay—dial 9-1-1.

    The presence of the CDC logo and CDC content on this page should not be construed to imply endorsement by the US Government of any commercial products or services, or to replace the advice of a medical professional. The mark “CDC” is licensed under authority of the PHS.
    When responding to a stroke, every minute counts. The sooner a patient receives medical treatment, the lower the risk for death or disability. If you or someone you know exhibits the following signs or symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately:... More
  6. Intermountain Healthcare
     
    The following are signs of a stroke:
    • Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm, or leg -- especially on one side of the body.
    • Sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech.
    • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
    • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination.
    • Sudden severe headache with no known cause.
    More Related Answers from Intermountain Healthcare
    The following are signs of a stroke: Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm, or leg -- especially on one side of the body. Sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes. Sudden... More
  7. Honor Society of Nursing (STTI)
     

    There are specific warning signs of a stroke that everyone needs to know. Someone having a stroke may feel a sudden weakness or numbness of the face, leg or arm. Usually, this numbness is specific to one side of the body. The person having a stroke may have difficulty speaking (called aphasia) or problem comprehending what is being said to them. They may look and feel very confused. In addition, they may lose sight in one or both eyes and have difficult balancing or feel off-balanced. Some people with stroke have dizziness, severe headache, difficulty swallowing and problems with emotions.

    More Related Answers from Honor Society of Nursing (STTI)
    There are specific warning signs of a stroke that everyone needs to know. Someone having a stroke may feel a sudden weakness or numbness of the face, leg or arm. Usually, this numbness is specific to one side of the body. The person having a... More
  8.  Joane Goodroe
     
    Joane Goodroe answered:

    The sudden onset of any of the following symptoms requires immediate medical attention:

    • Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
    • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
    • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
    • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
    • Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

    Stroke can cause death or significant disability, such as paralysis, speech difficulties, and emotional problems. Some new treatments can reduce stroke damage if patients get medical care soon after symptoms begin. When a stroke happens, it is important to recognize the symptoms, call 9-1-1 right away, and get to a hospital quickly.











     

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  9. NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
     

    At the first signs of a stroke – a sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg especially on just one side of the body; difficulty walking, speaking, understanding, or seeing with one or both eyes; sudden confusion, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination – it is crucial to get to a hospital immediately. These warning signs are the same for both types of stroke – ischemic and hemorrhagic.

    A warning sign of an impending ischemic stroke is one or more transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) or "mini-strokes." During a TIA blood flow to a part of the brain is temporarily restricted, leading to transient neurological deficits. The symptoms may be the same as those of a stroke but milder, and may last only a few minutes. TIAs are critical warning signs that a stroke may be on the way in the coming days or months.

    More Related Answers from NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
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  10. Dr. Edward C. Miner
     
    The signs of a stroke are as follows:
    • sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm, or leg--especially on one side of the body
    • sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech
    • sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
    • sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination
    • sudden severe headache with no known cause
    More Related Answers from Intermountain Healthcare
    The signs of a stroke are as follows: sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm, or leg--especially on one side of the body sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes sudden trouble... More
  11. American Heart Association
     

    The following are warning signs of a stroke:

    • Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
    • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
    • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
    • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
    • Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
    More Related Answers from American Heart Association
    The following are warning signs of a stroke: Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes Sudden trouble... More
  12. Dr. Sergio Gonzalez-Arias
     
    It is vital to recognize the signs of a stroke so that you or someone with you can act quickly and call 9-1-1. Warning signs can signal that the brain is not getting the blood it needs.

    The most widely recognized symptoms of a stroke include:
    • Numbness or weakness in the face, arms or legs, particularly on one side of the body.
    • Sudden disorientation, confusion or trouble speaking.
    • Trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
    • Difficulty in walking, lacking coordination, dizziness or a loss of balance.
    • Severe, sudden headache without a known cause.

    If you are with a person that has one of the warning signs, here are simple questions you can ask:

    • Ask the person to smile and notice if one side of the face droops.
    • Ask the person to raise both arms to determine if one side drifts downward.
    • Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase and determine if speech is slurred.

     

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  13. UCLA Health
     
    UCLA Health answered:

    Strokes are the fourth-leading cause of death and No. 1 cause of long-term disability in the United States. Be aware of the warning signs of a stroke, and call 911 if a stroke is suspected.

    The five “sudden” signs are:

    • Sudden weakness on one side of the body
    • Sudden trouble speaking
    • Sudden change or loss of vision
    • Sudden severe dizziness or imbalance
    • Sudden severe headache
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  14. Dr. Mandip Dhamoon
     

    Signs of a stroke depend on the part of the brain that is affected, and may include any of the following 5 major symptoms:

    • Sudden weakness, numbness or paralysis of the face, arm or leg (especially on one side of the body)
    • Loss of speech or trouble talking or understanding language
    • Sudden blurred vision or loss of vision, particularly in only one eye
    • Sudden, severe headache with no apparent cause
    • Unexplained dizziness, loss of balance or coordination (especially if associated with any of the above symptoms)

    If you have any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately because there are medications that can be given within a few hours of onset of symptoms to reduce the impact of stroke.


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