“What are the warning signs of a stroke?”
I work for a IT firm and I have a highly stressful job and lifestyle. I would like to know what are the warning signs of a stroke that I should be aware of.
3 Answers
Unfortunately strokes can occur without warning. Sometimes patients can have stroke-like symptoms that resolve within 24 hours which are known as TIAs. Patients that have TIAs are at higher risk for having a stroke. Symptoms of a stroke consist of sudden onset of focal weakness, numbness, speech difficulties, vision loss or gait ataxia.
F. A. S.T.
FACE DROOPING:
Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person's smile uneven or lopsided?
ARM WEAKNESS:
Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
SPEECH DIFFICULTY:
Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like "The sky is blue." Is the person able to correctly repeat the words?
TIME TO CALL 9-1-1:
If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and say, "I think this is a stroke," to help get the person to the hospital immediately. Time is important! Don't delay, and also note the time when the first symptoms appeared. Emergency responders will want to know.
Neurological Specialties of LI, PLLC
FACE DROOPING:
Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person's smile uneven or lopsided?
ARM WEAKNESS:
Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
SPEECH DIFFICULTY:
Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like "The sky is blue." Is the person able to correctly repeat the words?
TIME TO CALL 9-1-1:
If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and say, "I think this is a stroke," to help get the person to the hospital immediately. Time is important! Don't delay, and also note the time when the first symptoms appeared. Emergency responders will want to know.
Neurological Specialties of LI, PLLC
More often than not, there are no warnings to a stroke. Highly stressful lifestyles and high blood pressure are additional risk factors.
