How to Spot the Early Signs and Symptoms of a Stroke
With a stroke, minutes matter. Learn all the possible signs so you or a loved one can receive immediate treatment and improve your chances of recovery.
By Carole Thomas, MD, Neurologist, Virtua Neurosciences
You may be familiar with some of the signs of a stroke: face drooping, weakness, or numbness on one side of the body, or slurred speech.
But some signs and symptoms of a stroke can be less obvious—or may occur more frequently in women than men. Knowing all the possible signs so you or a loved one can receive immediate treatment may reduce the long-term effects of a stroke and improve your quality of life.
What Are the Different Types of Stroke?
A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted. Without steady blood flow, your brain cells begin to die, leading to possible paralysis, trouble speaking, and problems thinking clearly.
There are two main types of stroke:
- An ischemic stroke happens when a blood vessel supplying oxygen-rich blood to the brain is blocked.
- A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a weakened blood vessel bursts and bleeds into the surrounding brain tissue.
You can’t tell the type of stroke you are having. Regardless, minutes matter. The sooner you get effective stroke treatment at the hospital—whether through a clot-busting medication or surgery—the better your chances for recovery.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Stroke—and What Should I Do?
Use the acronym BE FAST to remember the symptoms:
Balance: Sudden loss of balance?
Eyes: Loss of vision in one or both eyes?
Face: Face looks uneven?
Arm: Arm or leg weak/hanging down?
Speech: Speech slurred? Trouble speaking or seem confused?
Terrible Headache: Thunder clap headache? Worst headache of your life?
While the BE FAST acronym is a terrific tool for identifying stroke, there are other signs and symptoms of a stroke to be mindful of as well, including sudden:
- Confusion
- Weakness or numbness in the face, arm or leg—especially on only one side of the body
- Dizziness
Are Stroke Symptoms Different for Women?
For women, it is important to know that you may experience different symptoms than men. Some are vague and may be more easily dismissed or attributed to another medical condition.
These different stroke signs in women include:
- Loss of consciousness or fainting
- General exhaustion
- Difficulty or shortness of breath
- Sudden behavioral change
- Agitation
- Hallucination
- Nausea or vomiting
- Pain
- Seizures
- Hiccups
Call 911 at the first sign of stroke symptoms
If you think you or a loved one is having a stroke, call 911 right away. Do not wait to see if symptoms improve, and do not try to drive yourself to the hospital. Emergency medical services can begin care as soon as they arrive and alert the hospital’s stroke team so treatment is ready the moment you get there. This can save precious time—and brain tissue.
Remember: every minute matters during a stroke. The faster someone receives treatment, the better their chances for recovery and reduced long-term effects.
Neurosciences Partnership with Penn Medicine
The Penn Medicine | Virtua Health Neurosciences Program brings the region’s foremost leader in neurological treatment and research to South Jersey. Together with the specialists at Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, the Penn neurovascular team uses state-of-the-art techniques to minimize stroke damage.
A Penn neurosurgeon is on call around the clock.
Schedule an appointment with a Virtua neurosciences specialist or call 888-847-8823.
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