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Warning Signs of a Stroke
Posted: Oct. 1, 2006
Know these warning signs. With timely treatment, the risk of death and disability from stroke can be lowered.
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arms or legs
- Sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding others
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
All of the major symptoms of stroke appear suddenly, and often there is more than one symptom at the same time.
If you think someone is having a stroke, you should call 911 or emergency medical services right away.
What is a stroke?
A stroke (or cerebrovascular accident) occurs when the blood supply to the brain is cut off (an ischemic stroke) or when a blood vessel bursts (a hemorrhagic stroke). Most strokes are of the ischemic type.
Without oxygen, the brain cells begin to die. Death or permanent disability can result. High blood pressure, smoking and having had a previous stroke or heart attack increase a person’s chances of having a stroke.
According to the American Heart Association, about 700,000 people in the United States suffer a stroke each year. Four million Americans who have survived a stroke are living with impairments and 15 to 30 percent are permanently disabled.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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