#stroke warning signs

A stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. Quick action can save brain cells, reduce disability, and improve recovery outcomes. Knowing the warning signs and responding promptly can make a life-saving difference.

Recognize the Signs of Stroke with FAST

Use the FAST method to identify possible stroke symptoms:

F – Face Drooping

Ask the person to smile. One side of the face may droop or appear uneven.

A – Arm Weakness

Ask the person to raise both arms. One arm may drift downward or feel weak.

S – Speech Difficulty

Speech may become slurred, confused, or difficult to understand.

T – Time to Act

If you notice any of these signs, seek emergency medical help immediately.

Additional Warning Signs of Stroke

Sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body

Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes

Severe dizziness or loss of balance

Difficulty walking

Sudden confusion

Severe headache with no known cause

What to Do During a Stroke Emergency

Call Emergency Medical Services Immediately

Do not wait for symptoms to improve. Immediate medical attention is critical.

Note the Time Symptoms Started

Doctors need to know when symptoms began to determine the most effective treatment options.

Keep the Person Safe

Help the person sit or lie down comfortably while waiting for medical assistance.

Stay Calm and Monitor Symptoms

Observe any changes in speech, movement, consciousness, or breathing.

Loosen Tight Clothing

Make breathing easier by loosening restrictive clothing around the neck and chest.

What Not to Do During a Stroke

Do not drive the person to the hospital if emergency services are available.

Do not give food or drinks.

Do not give medications unless instructed by a healthcare professional.

Do not allow the person to sleep or ignore symptoms.

Do not assume symptoms will go away on their own.

Why Immediate Treatment Matters

Brain cells begin to die within minutes after a stroke starts. Early treatment can:

Reduce brain damage

Improve recovery

Lower the risk of disability

Increase survival rates

Improve long term quality of life

Stroke Prevention Tips

Control high blood pressure

Manage diabetes

Stop smoking

Exercise regularly

Maintain a healthy weight

Eat a balanced diet

Control cholesterol levels

Attend regular health checkups

When Every Minute Counts

A stroke is a medical emergency. Fast recognition and immediate medical care can save lives and protect brain function.

When someone you love is having a stroke, every second counts. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States.

Over four million Americans who’ve survived a stroke are living with a subsequent disability – and 30% of those affected are permanently disabled.

However, when a stroke is treated quickly, the risk of death, disability, and severe brain damage is greatly reduced.

Familiarize yourself with the signs and symptoms of a stroke, and you may be able to save the life of someone you love.

Signs of a stroke

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke has identified these five major signs of a stroke, all of which come on suddenly and unexpectedly:

1. Sudden numbness or weakness

This will generally affect the face, arm, or leg, and will often impact one side more than the other.

2. Sudden confusion

This includes difficulty speaking, trouble understanding what others are saying, or an inability to form a cohesive thought.

3. Sudden trouble seeing

Vision can be affected in one or both eyes.

4. Sudden difficulty walking

Dizziness, loss of balance, or lack of coordination can make it hard to walk.

5. Sudden severe headache

Pain will come on quickly and without a known cause.

What to do if someone is having a stroke

A stroke cuts off blood supply to the brain, either through a blockage or a burst blood vessel. Without a blood supply, your brain cells can die. That’s why it’s extremely important to get immediate treatment.

If you suspect your loved one is having a stroke, you must act quickly. Use the FAST acronym to help you remember what to do:

F: Face. Ask them to smile. Does one side of their face droop?

A: Arms. Ask them to raise both of their arms. Does one arm begin to drift downward?

S: Speech. Ask them to repeat a simple sentence. Do they slur or say the wrong thing?

T: Time. If the answer to any of the questions above is “Yes,” you must act quickly and call 911 right away. Also, note the time that the first symptoms began to occur. The medical team will need to know this information to determine the best course of treatment.

Stroke therapy can help prevent long-term disabilities

For stroke survivors, a comprehensive rehabilitation program is the key to regaining independence - and the sooner stroke rehab begins, the better the chances are for a successful recovery. Treatment plans vary based on individual patient needs, but generally include:

Physical therapy

Exercises and balance training help stroke patients regain motor skills, coordination, and strength.

Occupational therapy

By focusing on the patient’s abilities, therapists identify new ways of performing everyday tasks, encouraging independence and self-care.

Speech therapy

Patients who have speech problems will relearn communication skills, and if necessary, how to swallow again.

Stroke rehabilitation begins at Bella Vista Health Center in San Diego

With a coveted five-star rating, Bella Vista Health Center is one of the best stroke rehabilitation centers in San Diego.

We offer customized treatment plans with daily therapy from our experienced physical, occupational, and speech therapists, while coordinating care from in-house doctors and nursing staff.

Our goal is to help each of our patients regain their strength and live as independently as possible.

Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) or stroke is a medical condition that occurs when blood flow to one part of the brain is impaired due to either an obstruction (from blood clots) or a rupture of a blood vessel (aneurysm).

In the disease process of stroke, the blockage or blood vessel rupture leads to the impairment of oxygenation in the brain, which greatly affects other processes in the body. According to Reader’s Digest, the brain loses approximately 1.9 million cells in every minute of a stroke and every hour a stroke goes unresolved puts an additional three and a half years to the brain’s age. When stroke or its signs are not attended, the higher the chances of behavioral changes, memory loss, and difficulties will be.

Stroke has five warning signs, which are all associated with the oxygenation impairment in the brain. These signs comprise of numbness of the arm, face, or leg, which is usually on one side of the body due to a compressed nerve. Another sign is sudden confusion, along with difficulty in speaking, or understanding speech. The person may also experience eyesight problems. With regard to movement, the warning sign is sudden trouble walking, loss of balance or coordination, which can be accompanied by dizziness. A sudden severe headache may also be present in some cases; however the cause is idiopathic or unknown.

The American Heart Association summarizes the warning signs of stroke using the acronym FAST (face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty, and time to call 911). It is important to check if one side of the face droop or is numb, which can be done by asking the person to smile. If the person’s smile is uneven, one may begin suspecting for an impeding stroke. To check for arm weakness or numbing, the person may be asked to raise both arms. If one arm drifts, downward, then begin to suspect. Speech difficulty can be characterized by slurred speeach, inability to speak, or inability to comprehend. The person may be asked to repeat a simple sentence like “The sky is blue” and check if it is correctly repeated. It should be noted that even the symptoms subside, 911 should still be contacted to bring the person to the hospital immediately. In addition, the time of the symptoms’ onset should also be checked and noted for reference.

The symptoms of stroke are dependent to the area of the affected brain, according to Medicine Net. A case in point is the weakness or loss of function of a right limb due to a left brain affectation. Conversely, the left side of the body may experience weakness or paralysis if the right side of the brain is affected.

The treatment plan for cerebrovascular accident involves management of blood pressure, control of blood sugar, use of medications like anticoagulants, and administration of oxygen. Mount Sinai Stroke Center New York City director Carolyn Brockington told Reader’s Digest that stroke was scary and denial was the biggest factor in delaying treatment. She added that when she asked stroke patients in the emergency room why they had waited to call 911, the most common response was they had wanted to see if it would have gone away. It is should be remembered that the earlier time stroke is detected, the better the treatment options would be.

As a caregiver of an aging parent or loved one, it is important to know the warning signs of a stroke to ensure treatment as soon as possible.