Stroke Symptoms: 3 Key Signs You Should Know

Stroke is a serious medical condition that requires immediate attention. It is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and the number one cause of serious adult disability. The signs and symptoms of a stroke can vary, but they often occur suddenly and may develop over hours or even days. Here are three signs and symptoms to look out for:

1. Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.

2. Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech.

3. Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, it is crucial to act F.A.S.T. and call for emergency medical assistance.

Face drooping

It is important to note that face drooping does not occur in all cases of stroke, so it is crucial to be aware of other potential symptoms. These can include arm weakness, speech difficulty, sudden confusion, vision problems, dizziness, and severe headaches. If you or someone else is experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to call emergency services immediately.

While face drooping can be a sign of a stroke, it can also be caused by other conditions such as Bell's palsy, injury, infection, neurological conditions, or tumours. Therefore, if you are experiencing any facial weakness or drooping, it is important to seek medical attention to determine the underlying cause and ensure proper treatment.

Arm weakness

The frontal lobe, which is responsible for the motor control of voluntary muscles, may be affected during a stroke, leading to arm weakness. This can manifest as an inability to lift both arms or a drifting downward of one arm after it has been lifted.

To test for arm weakness, ask the person to raise both arms. If they are experiencing arm weakness due to a stroke, one arm may drift downward. Additionally, the affected arm(s) may feel weak or numb.

Proper arm care after a stroke is crucial to prevent and address potential issues. This includes techniques such as correct positioning, using support devices like slings or braces, and preventing further injury. Shoulder problems are common after a stroke, and the joint may be vulnerable to partial dislocation due to the weight of the arm. This can cause pain and a sensation of the shoulder being out of joint. To prevent this, it is important to control the shoulder joint during movement and avoid pulling on the affected arm.

Speech difficulty

Aphasia affects a person's ability to communicate, including speaking, reading, writing, and understanding what others say. While it does not affect intelligence, it can cause a person's speech to become jumbled, fragmented, or hard to understand. People with aphasia may struggle with communication in daily activities at home, socially, or at work, and they may also feel isolated.

There are different types of aphasia that can occur after a stroke. Aphasia can make it difficult for a person to translate their thoughts into coherent speech, and they may not understand what is being said to them. This is known as receptive aphasia. Aphasia can also affect a person's ability to read and write, known as reading and writing aphasia.

Dysarthria is another type of speech difficulty that can occur after a stroke. This happens when a person is not able to control the muscles in their face, mouth, and throat very well, which makes it difficult to speak clearly. Their speech may become slurred or slow, or their voice may sound quiet.

Apraxia of speech is a third type of speech difficulty that can occur after a stroke. This is when a person cannot move the muscles in their face, mouth, or throat in the correct order when speaking, making it difficult for others to understand them.

Speech and language therapy can help improve communication problems after a stroke. A speech and language therapist can work with the patient to improve their speech, reading, and writing, as well as help them learn other ways to communicate, such as gestures or electronic devices. Family and friends can also help by engaging with the person, speaking slowly, giving them time to speak, and including them in group conversations.

Time to act

If you notice any of the signs and symptoms of a stroke, it's time to act FAST. Here's what you need to do:

Face

Ask the person to smile. If one side of their face droops or feels numb, it could be a sign of muscle weakness or paralysis, which often occurs on just one side of the body. This is a critical indicator of a potential stroke.

Arms

Instruct the person to raise both arms. If one arm drifts or drops downward, it could be another sign of one-sided weakness, which is commonly associated with strokes. This simple test can provide valuable information.

Speech

Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Listen for slurred speech or strange speech patterns. Strokes can impair an individual's ability to speak clearly and choose the right words. This test can help identify potential speech difficulties.

Time

If you observe any of the above signs, it's crucial to call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. Do not delay, as every minute counts when it comes to stroke treatment. Note the time when the symptoms first appeared, as this information will assist healthcare providers in determining the most effective treatment.

It is important to remember that you should not drive yourself or the person experiencing these symptoms to the hospital. Calling for an ambulance ensures that medical personnel can begin providing life-saving treatment as soon as possible, increasing the chances of a successful recovery.

Additionally, be aware of other warning signs and symptoms of a stroke, such as:

• Numbness, especially on one side of the body.
• Confusion or difficulty understanding speech.
• Problems with vision, such as dimness or loss of vision in one or both eyes.
• Dizziness or loss of balance and coordination.
• Severe headaches with no apparent cause.
• Less common symptoms include sudden nausea, vomiting, or brief loss of consciousness.

Remember, stroke symptoms can vary from person to person, and sometimes a stroke can happen gradually. However, it is essential to act quickly and seek immediate medical attention if you suspect a stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA), also known as a "mini-stroke."

Other symptoms: vision problems, dizziness, severe headache

Vision problems, dizziness, and severe headaches are all possible symptoms of a stroke. It is important to be aware of these symptoms and to seek medical attention if you are experiencing them.

Vision Problems

A stroke can cause various vision issues, including reading problems, poor visual memory, and decreased depth perception and balance. About 65% of stroke survivors experience vision problems, and most do not fully regain their vision. However, proper diagnosis and rehabilitation can help with recovery and improve daily activities.

Vision loss after a stroke depends on the location of the stroke in the brain. The occipital lobe, located at the back of the brain, is the main vision center and is responsible for most visual processing. The brain stem, located at the base of the brain, controls eye movements, sensations related to balance and stability, and the ability to recognize and understand objects.

Types of vision loss after a stroke include:

• Homonymous hemianopia: Loss of vision in the right or left half of the visual field in each eye.
• Quadrantanopia: Loss of a quarter of the visual field.
• Scotoma: A blind spot in one or both eyes.

Other visual challenges that may occur include:

• Neglect (spatial inattention): The person doesn't respond to or isn't aware of things on their stroke-affected side.
• Eye movement disorders: For example, rhythmic eye movements (nystagmus), misaligned eyes (stystrabismus), eye tracking control issues (oculomotor dysfunction), and double vision (diplopia).
• Dry eyes: Some stroke survivors have trouble blinking or closing their eyes, leading to irritation, burning, or blurry vision.

Dizziness

Dizziness is a common symptom of a stroke and can be accompanied by a loss of balance or coordination. This is often related to damage in areas of the brain that affect balance and stability, such as the brain stem.

Severe Headache

A severe headache with no known cause can be a warning sign of a stroke, particularly a hemorrhagic stroke, which causes bleeding into the brain. This type of stroke is often associated with uncontrolled or poorly controlled high blood pressure, which weakens the blood vessels in the brain, leading to rupture and bleeding.

A stroke-related headache typically comes on suddenly and is very severe. It may be localized to one side of the brain in smaller hemorrhages or affect the entire head in larger bleeds. Other symptoms of a large hemorrhagic stroke include sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, difficulty understanding speech, vision problems, and dizziness.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a severe headache along with other stroke symptoms, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention. Calling 911 allows first responders to start treatment as soon as possible, increasing the chances of higher survival rates and lower disability rates.

Frequently asked questions