Symptoms of stroke

Every second counts when a stroke occurs. Knowing the warning signs and seeking immediate medical attention are crucial to survival.

• 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

Not all the warning signs will occur in every stroke. If you or someone with you has one or more stroke symptoms, call 911 immediately. Treatment to restore blood flow and avoid permanent damage is time sensitive. Arriving to the emergency room too late may limit your options for treatment.

Transient ischemic attacks (TIA) occur when the blood flow to the brain is briefly interrupted. Symptoms are the same as with a stroke, but the symptoms resolve as blood flow is spontaneously restored to the brain. Although there is no permanent damage to the brain, it represents a serious warning sign. As many as 10 percent to 20 percent  of people with TIA will have a stroke within the next three months. Prompt medical attention, including a detailed evaluation to determine the cause, can help to avoid that risk.