Recognizing Stroke Symptoms. Know the Signs to Save a Life.
It feels like a stroke can happen to anyone, at any time, and it can happen incredibly fast. It is a terrifying condition that seems like it has the power to strike the old, the young, the healthy, the fragile, and everyone in between. While a mild stroke can cause little or no brain damage, a major stroke can cause severe brain damage or even death.
One of the most important ways to protect yourself from the risk of a stroke is to know the signs and symptoms that signal the onset of a stroke event. Early identification of a stroke can help to minimize the long-term damage, and can even save a life. Most stroke victims experience only one or two symptoms before their condition worsens. Take note of all of the potential signs of a stroke listed below to prepare yourself in case you or a loved one ever fall victim to this life-threatening health event.
Signs of a stroke may include:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg (usually on just one side of the body).
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
- Sudden trouble walking, or feelings of dizziness, or a loss of balance.
- Sudden difficulty speaking, understanding speech, or general mental confusion.
- A painful headache that comes on quickly with no known cause.
Women are at risk for unique stroke symptoms as well. These symptoms may include:
- Sudden face and arm or leg pain.
- Sudden hiccups.
- Sudden nausea.
- A sudden sensation of exhaustion.
- Sudden chest pain.
- Sudden shortness of breath.
- Sudden pounding or racing heartbeat.
If you or a loved one experience any of the symptoms listed above, call 9-1-1 immediately.
What You Need to Know About Mini-Strokes
A “mini-stroke,” also called a transient ischemic attack (TIA), occurs when, for a short period of time, the amount of blood that travels to the brain is restricted or slowed. If a mini-stroke occurs, you may or may not experience some of the signs of stroke listed above.
A mini-stroke could last from a few minutes to a full day. The signs can be so subtle that many sufferers do not even know they have suffered a stroke. The greater risk, however, is that a mini-stroke could be a sign that a full stroke is imminent. If you believe that you or a loved one are suffering from a mini-stroke, call 9-1-1 immediately.
Diagnosing a Stroke
To determine if a stroke has occurred, your doctor will conduct an evaluation, asking questions about the symptoms that occurred and their onset. He or she will also test your reflexes to determine if physical damage has occurred. In addition, your doctor may request a computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan, or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. He or she may also require an electroencephalogram (EEG) test, an evoked response test, or a blood flow test such as a doppler ultrasound to determine if any changes have occurred in the blood flow to the brain.
By recognizing the potential signs and symptoms of a stroke, and acting fast by calling for emergency responders, you can help to save the life of a loved one—or even your own.
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