The headline is partly true but often exaggerated. A stroke may be preceded by warning signs in some people, but many strokes occur suddenly without advance notice.
The most important thing is to recognize the symptoms of a stroke and get emergency medical care immediately.
Common warning signs of a stroke
Stroke symptoms typically begin suddenly and may include:
- Sudden weakness or numbness of the 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 difficulty walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden, severe headache with no known cause (more common with bleeding in the brain)
A temporary warning: TIA
Some people experience a Transient ischemic attack (TIA), often called a “mini-stroke,” before a stroke. Symptoms are similar to those of a stroke but resolve within minutes to hours.
A TIA is a medical emergency, even if symptoms disappear, because it can be a warning that a full stroke may follow.
Remember FAST
A simple way to recognize a possible stroke is the FAST acronym:
- Face: One side of the face droops.
- Arms: One arm is weak or drifts downward.
- Speech: Speech is slurred or difficult.
- Time: Call your local emergency services immediately.
Bottom line
Don’t wait to see if symptoms improve. Treatments for some types of stroke work best when given as soon as possible, so rapid medical evaluation can make a major difference in recovery.
