Stroke Symptoms and Warning Signs

Overview

A stroke happens when blood flow to part of the brain is disrupted, causing brain cells to begin dying within minutes. About 800,000 Americans experience a stroke each year. There are two main types: ischemic strokes and hemorrhagic strokes. Ischemic strokes account for 85% of cases and occur when an artery becomes blocked. Meanwhile, hemorrhagic strokes happen when a blood vessel leaks or bursts, allowing blood to spill into or around brain tissue.

Risk Factors

Several factors can increase your chance of having a stroke:

Being 55 or older
African-American ethnicity
Male gender
Family history of strokes or heart attacks
Overweight or obesity
Physical inactivity
Heavy alcohol consumption
Recreational drug use
Smoking
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Poorly controlled diabetes
Obstructive sleep apnea
Certain heart conditions

Warning Signs

It’s important to recognize the warning signs of stroke, which include:

Sudden trouble speaking or understanding others
Paralysis or numbness on one side of the body (face, arm, or leg)
Vision problems in one or both eyes
Difficulty walking or loss of balance
Sudden severe headache (in some cases)

Even if these symptoms come and go, immediate medical attention is critical. Time matters greatly in stroke treatment—don’t wait to see if symptoms improve on their own.

Diagnosis Process

When someone arrives at the hospital with stroke symptoms, the medical team conducts a physical exam and uses several tests to determine the type of stroke and appropriate treatment:

Brain imaging (CT scan or MRI)
Carotid ultrasound to check blood flow to the front of the brain
Blood tests to rule out other conditions

Treatment Approaches

Treatment varies based on the type of stroke:

For ischemic strokes (blocked artery), the goal is to restore blood flow quickly. Doctors may use:

Intravenous clot-busting medication to dissolve the blockage
Emergency endovascular procedures that use a catheter to physically remove the clot

For hemorrhagic strokes (bleeding), treatment focuses on controlling bleeding and reducing brain pressure through:

Medications to lower blood pressure
Drugs that prevent blood vessel spasms
Medications that encourage clotting
Anti-seizure medications
Surgery in severe cases to remove blood from the brain

Recovery Journey

Each stroke affects people differently, making every recovery unique. A comprehensive care team often includes neurologists and rehabilitation specialists who work together to help patients regain as much function as possible.

The emotional impact of a stroke can be significant. Feelings of helplessness, frustration, and depression are common. Support from friends and family is crucial during recovery, which requires patience, hard work, and time. Celebrating small improvements helps maintain motivation throughout the process.

The encouraging news is that stroke mortality rates have declined in recent years. With prompt treatment, many people can prevent long-term disability and achieve a good quality of life after stroke. For more information about strokes and their management, visit staging.healthnile.com.

Signs of a Stroke

A stroke can show several warning signs. Knowing these symptoms helps people get help quickly. Quick treatment can make a big difference in recovery.

People having a stroke may have trouble talking clearly. They might slur words or not understand what others say. This happens because the stroke affects brain areas that control speech.

Watch for weakness or numbness in the face, arm, or leg. This often happens on just one side of the body. If someone can’t keep both arms raised or has a drooping smile, these could be stroke signs.

Vision problems can also occur during a stroke. Someone might suddenly have blurry vision, see double, or lose sight in one or both eyes.

A severe, sudden headache may signal a stroke. This headache might come with vomiting, dizziness, or confusion.

Walking troubles are another warning sign. The person might stumble, lose balance, or seem uncoordinated.

When to Get Medical Help

Don’t wait if you notice stroke symptoms. Even if the symptoms come and go quickly, call for emergency help right away.

Remember the “FAST” test to check for stroke:

F – Face: Is one side drooping when they smile?
A – Arms: Does one arm drift down when both are raised?
S – Speech: Is their speech slurred or strange?
T – Time: Call 911 immediately if you see these signs!

Every minute matters during a stroke. The faster someone gets treatment, the better their chances of recovery. Brain damage increases the longer a stroke goes untreated.

While waiting for help to arrive, stay with the person and watch them closely. Note when symptoms started, as this information helps medical teams provide the right treatment.

What Causes Strokes

Types of Ischemic Stroke

An ischemic stroke happens when blood vessels in the brain become blocked or narrowed. This blockage stops blood from flowing properly to brain tissue. About 80% of all strokes are this type.

These blockages often occur from:

Fatty deposits that build up in blood vessels over time
Blood clots that form in the heart and travel to the brain
Other debris that moves through the bloodstream and gets stuck

When blood can’t reach parts of the brain, those cells begin to die quickly. This causes the symptoms we recognize as a stroke.

Some research suggests that COVID-19 infections might increase ischemic stroke risk, though scientists need to study this connection more.

Types of Hemorrhagic Stroke

A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain breaks open or leaks. This bleeding damages brain tissue and creates pressure inside the skull.

Several factors can cause this type of stroke:

Risk Factor	Description
Uncontrolled high blood pressure	The most common cause of bleeding in the brain
Blood thinner medications	Taking too much can increase bleeding risk
Aneurysms	Weak spots in blood vessel walls that bulge and can burst
Head injuries	Severe trauma can damage blood vessels
Protein deposits	Weakens blood vessel walls (cerebral amyloid angiopathy)

A less common cause is an arteriovenous malformation (AVM). This is an abnormal tangle of blood vessels that can rupture.

Transient Ischemic Attack

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) works like a warning sign. It causes stroke-like symptoms that don’t last long or cause permanent damage.

TIAs happen when blood flow to part of the brain drops temporarily – sometimes for just a few minutes. They’re caused by:

Small blood clots
Fatty deposits that briefly block blood flow

Important warning: Never ignore a TIA. Even though symptoms may disappear quickly, a TIA is a serious medical emergency. About 1 in 3 people who have a TIA will eventually have a full stroke, often within a year.

You can’t tell the difference between a stroke and a TIA based on symptoms alone. Both require immediate medical attention. A TIA often means you have narrowed or partially blocked arteries leading to your brain, which puts you at higher risk for a major stroke in the future.

What Increases Your Stroke Risk

Ways Your Daily Habits Affect Risk

Weight issues like obesity can raise your chance of having a stroke. Not getting enough exercise is also harmful to your blood vessels and heart health.

Drinking too much alcohol, especially binge drinking, damages your body and increases stroke risk. Using illegal drugs can cause dangerous changes in blood pressure and heart function that may lead to stroke.

Health Conditions That Raise Risk

Several medical conditions make strokes more likely to happen:

High blood pressure – The leading controllable risk factor
Smoking – Both direct smoking and secondhand exposure
High cholesterol – Creates blockages in blood vessels
Diabetes – Damages blood vessels throughout the body
Sleep apnea – Reduces oxygen during sleep
Heart problems – Including heart failure, defects, infections or irregular rhythms like atrial fibrillation

Your personal or family history of stroke, heart attack or TIA (mini-stroke) puts you at higher risk. Recent COVID-19 infection has also been linked to increased stroke risk.

Other important risk factors include:

Age (55+ years have higher risk)
Race (African Americans and Hispanics face greater risk)
Gender (men have higher overall risk, though women have more severe outcomes)
Hormones (estrogen in birth control or hormone therapy increases risk)

Complications

Strokes can lead to various complications that affect daily life. These problems depend on which brain area was damaged and how long it lacked blood flow.

Physical Limitations

Paralysis or weakness on one side of the body
Loss of control in specific muscles (face, arm, or leg)
Difficulty with coordination and balance

Communication Problems

Slurred speech or inability to speak
Trouble understanding what others say
Difficulty reading or writing
Problems swallowing food and liquids safely

Cognitive Changes

Memory issues or forgetfulness
Reduced ability to solve problems
Trouble with reasoning and judgment
Difficulty understanding complex ideas

Emotional and Behavioral Effects

Mood swings and emotional instability
Depression or anxiety
Withdrawal from social activities
Personality changes

People who experience strokes might develop unusual sensations like pain, numbness, or tingling in affected body parts. These sensations can be temporary or permanent.

Many stroke survivors need help with daily activities. Simple tasks like getting dressed, preparing meals, or personal hygiene may become challenging. Family members often need to provide support or arrange for caregivers.

The recovery process varies for each person. Some may regain most functions, while others face long-term disabilities. Early treatment and rehabilitation can significantly improve outcomes and quality of life.

Preventing Strokes

Medicines That Help Prevent Strokes

If you’ve had an ischemic stroke or TIA (mini-stroke), certain medicines can lower your risk of having another one. These medications work in different ways to prevent blood clots that can cause strokes.

Anti-platelet medicines make blood cells called platelets less sticky, which helps prevent clots. Here are some common options:

Aspirin – The most widely used anti-platelet drug

Your doctor will recommend the right dose based on your specific needs.

Blood thinners (anticoagulants) work differently to reduce blood clotting. These include:

Medicine Type	Examples	Key Facts
Fast-acting	Heparin	Used short-term in hospitals
Traditional	Warfarin	Requires regular blood tests and careful monitoring
Newer options		Work faster than warfarin Usually don’t need regular blood tests Lower risk of bleeding problems

Besides medicines, lifestyle changes play a huge role in preventing strokes. Here are important steps that can help:

Control high blood pressure – This is one of the most important things you can do to lower stroke risk.
Improve your diet – Eat less cholesterol and saturated fat. Try for at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily. The Mediterranean diet with olive oil, nuts, vegetables and whole grains can be helpful.
Quit smoking – Tobacco use increases stroke risk for both smokers and those exposed to secondhand smoke.
Manage diabetes – Keep blood sugar in a healthy range through diet, exercise and medicine if needed.
Maintain a healthy weight – Being overweight contributes to other stroke risk factors.
Exercise regularly – Aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity weekly. Walking, swimming and biking are good options.
Limit alcohol – Heavy drinking raises stroke risk. If you drink, keep it moderate (about one drink daily).
Treat sleep apnea – This condition where breathing stops during sleep can increase stroke risk. Your doctor may recommend a sleep study.
Avoid illegal drugs – illegal drugs known risk factors for stroke.