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Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

Watch for these signs and symptoms if you think you or someone else may be having a stroke. Note when your signs and symptoms begin, because the length of time they have been present may guide your treatment decisions.

  • Trouble with walking. You may stumble or experience sudden dizziness, loss of balance or loss of coordination.
  • Trouble with speaking and understanding. You may experience confusion. You may slur your words or have difficulty understanding speech.
  • Paralysis or numbness of the face, arm or leg. You may develop sudden numbness, weakness or paralysis in your face, arm or leg, especially on one side of your body. Try to raise both your arms over your head at the same time. If one arm begins to fall, you may be having a stroke. Similarly, one side of your mouth may droop when you try to smile.
  • Trouble with seeing in one or both eyes. You may suddenly have blurred or blackened vision in one or both eyes, or you may see double.
  • Headache. A sudden, severe headache, which may be accompanied by vomiting, dizziness or altered consciousness, may indicate you're having a stroke.

When to see a doctor
Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any signs or symptoms of a stroke, even if they seem to fluctuate or disappear. Call 911 or your local emergency number right away. Every minute counts. Don't wait to see if symptoms go away. The longer a stroke goes untreated, the greater the potential for brain damage and disability. To maximize the effectiveness of evaluation and treatment, you'll need to be treated at a hospital within three hours after your first symptoms appeared. If you're with someone you suspect is having a stroke, watch the person carefully while waiting for emergency assistance.

Causes Definition
References
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  3. Know stroke brochure. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://stroke.nih.gov/materials/actintime.htm. Accessed April 13, 2012.
  4. Roger V, et al. Heart disease and stroke statistics - 2012 update: A report from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2012;125:e2.
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  8. Ischemic stroke (clots). American Stroke Association. http://www.strokeassociation.org/STROKEORG/AboutStroke/TypesofStroke/IschemicClots/Ischemic-Strokes-Clots_UCM_310939_Article.jsp. Accessed April 27, 2012.
  9. Cerebral aneurysms fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/cerebral_aneurysms.htm. Accessed April 27, 2012.
  10. Furie KL, et al. Etiology and clinical manifestations of transient ischemic attack. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed April 27, 2012.
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  12. Neurological diagnostic tests and procedures. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/misc/diagnostic_tests.htm?css=print. Accessed May 7, 2012.
  13. What is echocardiography? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/echo/. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  14. Samuels OB. Intravenous fibrinolytic (thrombolytic) therapy in acute ischemic stroke: Therapeutic use. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed April 27, 2012.
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  17. Questions and answers about carotid endarterectomy. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke/carotid_endarterectomy_backgrounder.htm. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  18. Mohler ER, et al. Carotid endarterectomy. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  19. Greelish JP, et al. Carotid artery stenting and its complications. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  20. Rordorf G, et al. Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage: Prognosis and treatment. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  21. Arteriovenous malformations and other vascular lesions of the central nervous system fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/avms/avms.htm. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  22. Recovery and rehabilitation. National Stroke Association. http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=REHABT. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  23. Recovery after stroke — Coping with emotions. National Stroke Association. http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Recov_factsheets. Accessed April 27, 2012.
  24. Recovery after stroke — Social support. National Stroke Association. http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Recov_factsheets. Accessed April 27, 2012.
  25. Recovery after stroke — Thinking and cognition. National Stroke Association. http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Recov_factsheets. Accessed April 27, 2012.
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  27. STARS — Steps against recurrent stroke. National Stroke Association. http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=STARS. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  28. Physical activity and healthy diet. National Stroke Association. http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=eathealthy. Accessed May 15, 2012.
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  31. Brown RD (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. June 10, 2012.
DS00150 July 3, 2012

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