A stroke can sometimes be preceded by warning signs, but it is important to know that many strokes happen suddenly without a month-long warning period. Some people may experience transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) — often called “mini-strokes” — which can occur before a major stroke and require urgent medical attention.
Possible warning signs that should not be ignored
- Sudden weakness or numbness
- Especially on one side of the face, arm, or leg.
- Face drooping
- One side of the face may feel weak or appear uneven when smiling.
- Speech problems
- Slurred speech, trouble finding words, or difficulty understanding others.
- Sudden vision changes
- Blurred vision, loss of vision in one eye, or double vision.
- Severe, unusual headache
- Especially if it appears suddenly and is different from previous headaches.
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Trouble walking, coordination problems, or unexplained falls.
- Confusion
- Sudden difficulty thinking clearly or understanding what is happening.
- Trouble swallowing
- New difficulty moving food or liquids normally.
- Temporary symptoms that disappear
- Brief episodes of weakness, numbness, speech trouble, or vision loss can be a TIA and should not be ignored.
- Sudden loss of coordination
- Difficulty using a hand, walking normally, or performing familiar movements.
Remember FAST:
- F — Face: Is one side drooping?
- A — Arms: Can the person raise both arms?
- S — Speech: Is speech strange or unclear?
- T — Time: Call emergency services immediately if these occur.
A stroke is a medical emergency. If any stroke-like symptoms appear — even if they go away after a few minutes — seek urgent medical care rather than waiting to see if they return.
