What are the Warning Signs of Stroke

Signs and Symptoms of Stroke

Knowing the signs and symptoms of a stroke is the first step to ensuring medical help is received immediately. For each minute a stroke goes untreated and blood flow to the brain continues to be blocked, a person loses about 1.9 million neurons. This could mean that a person’s speech, movement, memory, and so much more can be affected.

Learn as many stroke symptoms as possible so you can recognize stroke FAST and save a life!

Stroke symptoms include:

	SUDDEN numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
	SUDDEN confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding
	SUDDEN trouble seeing in one or both eyes
	SUDDEN trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
	SUDDEN severe headache with no known cause

The signs of a stroke depend on the side of the brain that’s affected, the part of the brain affected, and how severely the brain is injured. Therefore, each person may have different stroke warning signs.

Use FAST to Remember the Warning Signs of a Stroke

	FACE: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
	ARMS: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
	SPEECH: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?
	TIME: If you observe any of these signs, call emergency team immediately.

Transient ischaemic attack (TIA)

The symptoms of a TIA, also known as a mini-stroke, are the same as a stroke, but tend to only last between a few minutes and a few hours before disappearing completely.

Although the symptoms do improve, a TIA should never be ignored as it’s a serious warning sign of a problem with the blood supply to your brain. It means you’re at an increased risk of having a stroke in the near future.

Emergency medical services staff can begin treatment when they arrive — up to an hour sooner than if someone gets to the hospital by car. The staff are also trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped. You’ll also get treated faster in the hospital if you come by ambulance.