A stroke, or brain attack, is a medical emergency where every minute counts. Knowing all the signs of a stroke, from the classic to the subtle, can help you act quickly.
You may be familiar with the 5 classic signs of a stroke, namely:
1 Sagging of the face or part of the face
2 Arm weakness
3 Difficulty speaking
4 Blurred vision or dizziness
5 Loss of coordination
The 4 warning signs of a stroke
Pay attention if these warning signs appear suddenly and cannot be explained by other causes.
Here’s what to look for:
1 Headaches, especially if abnormally severe
2 Difficulty walking
3 Generalized exhaustion or weakness
3 Fuzzy thinking or confusion
4 Nausea or vomiting, especially if not accompanied by illness.
Are you at risk for stroke?
It is also important to know if you are in a high risk category for stroke.
These categories are:
age
People aged 55 or older have a higher risk of stroke than younger people.
Health history
People with a personal or family history of stroke or people with high blood pressure, diabetes or heart disease are at higher risk.
sex
Men have a higher risk of stroke than women. However, women are more likely to show subtle signs of a stroke.
Hormones
People who take birth control pills or hormone treatments that include estrogen are more likely to have a stroke.
Seek immediate medical attention if you or those around you begin to experience any of the classic or subtle signs of a stroke.
A stroke occurs when there is bleeding in the brain or when blood flow to the brain is blocked. Within minutes of being deprived of essential nutrients, brain cells begin to die. Seek immediate medical assistance. A stroke is a real emergency. The earlier the treatment, the greater the chance of reducing the damage. Every moment counts.
Remember these signs well and react quickly
In the event of a stroke, pay attention to these signs to help you remember the warning signs.
Face: Does the face droop to one side when the person tries to smile?
Arm: Is one arm lower when the person tries to raise both arms?
Speech: Can the person repeat a simple sentence? Is the speech slow or difficult to understand?
Time: During a stroke, every minute counts. If you observe any of these signs, call the emergency services immediately.
