Headlines like “7 Lacunar Stroke Warning Signs in People Over 60 That Everyone Overlooks (Especially #4)” are usually clickbait. However, lacunar strokes are real and can sometimes cause subtle symptoms that people dismiss.
A lacunar stroke is a type of ischemic stroke affecting small arteries deep within the brain. Risk factors include high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, and older age.
Possible warning signs and symptoms
- Sudden weakness on one side of the body
- Face, arm, or leg weakness that appears abruptly.
- Numbness or loss of sensation
- Especially affecting one side of the body.
- Clumsiness or poor coordination
- Difficulty using a hand, buttoning clothes, or walking steadily.
- Slurred speech (often overlooked)
- Speech may sound thick, unclear, or unusually slow, even without obvious weakness.
- Sudden difficulty walking
- New imbalance, stumbling, or feeling unsteady.
- Facial drooping
- One side of the face may sag or feel weak.
- Sudden changes in fine motor control
- Trouble writing, holding objects, or performing precise movements.
Important: Stroke symptoms often start suddenly
The key feature of stroke symptoms is usually sudden onset. Symptoms that develop abruptly over minutes or hours deserve immediate attention.
When to seek emergency care
Use the FAST warning signs:
- Face drooping
- Arm weakness
- Speech difficulty
- Time to call emergency services
Even if symptoms improve or disappear quickly, they could represent a transient ischemic attack (TIA), which can precede a larger stroke.
If you or someone else has any sudden stroke-like symptoms, seek emergency medical care immediately rather than waiting to see if they go away.
