Warning Signs of Stroke

Posted: May 1, 2004

The symptoms of stroke include:

• Sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking; dizziness; or loss of balance or coordination

It is crucial that a person experiencing these symptoms seek medical care immediately. Timely treatment is important to help a stroke victim recover more fully and more quickly.

Although stroke is a disease of the brain, it can affect the entire body.
Some of the disabilities that can result from stroke include:

• paralysis
• cognitive deficits
• speech problems
• emotional difficulties
• daily living problems
• pain

What should a bystander do?
If you believe someone is having a stroke – if he or she suddenly loses the ability to speak, or move an arm or leg on one side, or experiences facial paralysis on one side – call 911 immediately.

Stroke is a medical emergency. Every minute counts when someone is having a stroke. The longer blood flow is cut off to the brain, the greater the damage. Immediate treatment can save people's lives and enhance their chances for successful recovery.

Why is there a need to act fast?
Ischemic strokes, the most common type of strokes, can be treated with a drug called t-PA that dissolves blood clots obstructing blood flow to the brain. The window of opportunity to start treating stroke patients is three hours, but to be evaluated and receive treatment, patients need to get to the hospital within 60 minutes.

Source: National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke

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