WARNING SIGNS

The symptoms of stroke are distinct because they happen quickly:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one
side of the body

• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech

• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes

• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination

• Sudden severe headache with no known cause

Warning signs are clues your body sends that your brain is not receiving enough oxygen. If you observe one or more of these signs of a stroke or "brain attack," don't wait, call 911 or emergency medical services and get to a hospital right away!


Other danger signs that may occur include double vision, drowsiness, and nausea or vomiting. Sometimes the warning signs may last only a few moments and then disappear. These brief episodes, known as transient ischemic attacks or TIAs, are sometimes called "mini-strokes." Although brief, they identify an underlying serious condition that isn't going away without medical help. Unfortunately, since they clear up, many people ignore them. Don't. Heeding them can save your life.

WOMEN MAY HAVE UNIQUE SYMPTOMS

• Sudden face and arm or leg pain

• Sudden hiccups

• Sudden nausea

• Sudden tiredness

• Sudden chest pain

• Sudden shortness of breath

• Sudden pounding or racing heartbeat

WARNING SIGNS IN CHILDREN

The symptoms of stroke in children are different from those in adults and young adults. A child experiencing a stroke may have:

• Seizures

• Sudden loss of speech

• Loss of expressive language (including body language and gestures)

• Weakness on one side of the body

• Paralysis on one side of the body

• Impairment of speech

• Convulsions

• Headache

• Fever

It is a medical emergency when a child shows any of these symptoms.

source: NINDS (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) and womenshealth.gov (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services)