Also known as a brain attack, stroke ranks as the third leading cause of death in the United States. Both the National Stroke Association and the American Stroke Association list the following early warning signs for stroke. Call 911 as soon as you recognize the symptoms.
Sudden Numbness
Sudden Numbness or Weakness of the Face, Arm or Leg, Especially on One Side of the Body: Finding that one leg will not support the body and one hand cannot grasp are often the first symptoms of stroke.
When a clot stops blood flow through a vessel in the brain, or when a vessel ruptures and leaks blood, cells beyond that point cannot receive oxygen. Impaired brain function affecting movement appears on the opposite side of the body. For example, a stroke on the left side of the brain typically leads to impaired movement on the right side of the body.
Sudden Confusion
Sudden Confusion, Trouble Speaking or Understanding: When an individual takes a long time to respond or answers with slurred speech, investigate immediately. Weakness on one side of the mouth affects the tongue and lips, impacting clarity of speech. Lack of blood flow to the brain cells impairs thinking skills and slows responses.
Sudden Trouble Seeing
Sudden Trouble Seeing in One or Both Eyes: Visual perception, clarity and field of vision can be affected by a stroke. According to information from Community Services for the Blind and Partially Sighted, most stroke-related vision loss takes the form of blindness in one half of the visual field, called hemianopia. For example, the individual may see only half of his dinner plate. This can occur in one or both eyes.
Sudden Trouble Walking
Sudden Trouble Walking, Dizziness, Loss of Balance or Coordination: Inability to move one side of the body, called hemiplegia, creates trouble walking and maintaining coordination.
However the American Stroke Association, quoting Dr. Richard Bernstein, M.D., assistant professor of neurology in the stroke program at Northwestern University in Chicago, states that in brain stem strokes, dizziness and severe imbalance can occur without one-sided weakness.
Sudden Severe Headache
Sudden Severe Headache With No Known Cause: The American Heart Association reports a description by Joshua Bederson, M.D., chair of the guidelines committee and chairman of the Mount Sinai Medical Department of Neurosurgery in New York City.
Dr. Bederson says a headache sometimes described as "the worst headache of my life," should raise suspicion of a brain bleed. Effective treatment can be delivered early in the process, so every minute counts when seeking medical attention.
