A stroke often seems sudden, but many people experience warning signs days or even weeks beforehand. Recognizing these symptoms early can help prevent a life-threatening emergency.
10 warning signs that may appear before a stroke
- Sudden weakness or numbness
- Especially on one side of the body
- Face drooping, arm weakness, or leg numbness are classic signs
- Brief episodes of confusion
- Trouble understanding speech
- Difficulty speaking clearly or finding words
- Vision problems
- Blurred vision
- Double vision
- Temporary loss of sight in one or both eyes
- Severe headaches
- A sudden, intense headache unlike your usual headaches
- Especially concerning if paired with dizziness or nausea
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Trouble walking
- Feeling unsteady or coordinated poorly
- Mini-strokes (TIAs)
- Also called transient ischemic attacks
- Symptoms may last minutes to hours and then disappear
- TIAs are a major warning sign for a future stroke
- Sudden fatigue or weakness
- Unusual exhaustion without explanation
- More common in women before some strokes
- Difficulty swallowing
- Choking easily or feeling food “stuck”
- Memory or concentration issues
- Sudden mental fog
- Trouble focusing or remembering simple things
- Shortness of breath or chest symptoms
- Particularly if related to underlying heart disease like atrial fibrillation
Use the FAST rule
A quick way to recognize a stroke:
- Face drooping
- Arm weakness
- Speech difficulty
- Time to call emergency services immediately
Important
A stroke is a medical emergency. Even symptoms that go away quickly can signal serious risk. Seek immediate medical attention if any warning signs appear.
Risk factors include:
- High blood pressure
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
- Heart disease
- Obesity
- Lack of exercise
Stroke
Transient Ischemic Attack
