How can I tell if I am having a stroke?

Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body. Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes. Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or lack of coordination.
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How do you check yourself for a stroke?

5 Classic Warning Signs of Stroke
  1. Weakness or numbness in the face, arm or leg, usually on just one side.
  2. Difficulty speaking or understanding language.
  3. Decreased or blurred vision in one or both eyes.
  4. Unexplained loss of balance or dizziness.
  5. Severe headache with no known cause.
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What is the fastest way to check for a stroke?

What is the FAST test for a stroke?
  1. Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
  2. Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
  3. Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Are the words slurred? ...
  4. Time: If the person shows any of these symptoms, time is important.
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How do I know if Im having a mini stroke?

The signs and symptoms of a TIA resemble those found early in a stroke and may include sudden onset of: Weakness, numbness or paralysis in the face, arm or leg, typically on one side of the body. Slurred or garbled speech or difficulty understanding others. Blindness in one or both eyes or double vision.
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What does the beginning of a stroke feel like?

Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of your face or in one arm or leg. Loss of vision, strength, coordination, sensation, or speech, or trouble understanding speech. These symptoms may get worse over time. Sudden dim vision, especially in one eye.
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Stroke symptoms: How to identify and react to stroke



What are the 4 silent signs of a stroke?

A sudden headache, difficulty speaking, balance or vision problems, and numbness on one side of the body—these are the signs of a stroke many of us are familiar with.
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Can drinking water help prevent a stroke?

Drinking enough water regularly prevents dehydration. This may play a role in keeping the blood less viscous, which in turn prevents a stroke.
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What does a stroke feel like in your head?

For instance, some individuals may feel pain in their head due to a headache. Others may not feel any physical sensations but may struggle to speak, which can lead to emotions of panic and confusion.
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Are there warning signs days before a stroke?

- Warning signs of an ischemic stroke may be evident as early as seven days before an attack and require urgent treatment to prevent serious damage to the brain, according to a study of stroke patients published in the March 8, 2005 issue of Neurology, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
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What are the 5 warning signs of a stroke in a woman?

5 Warning Signs of Stroke
  • Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg (especially on one side of the body).
  • Sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech.
  • Sudden vision problems in one or both eyes.
  • Sudden difficulty walking or dizziness, loss of balance or problems with coordination.
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Which arm goes numb if your having a stroke?

Stroke can cause numbness in several areas of your body, including your left arm. Other signs include trouble with balance, coordination and speech, as well as headache and confusion. Stroke symptoms tend to happen on one side of your body.
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What are 3 treatments for a stroke?

Stroke treatment
  • Clot-breaking drugs. Thrombolytic drugs can break up blood clots in your brain's arteries, which will stop the stroke and reduce damage to the brain. ...
  • Mechanical thrombectomy.
  • Stents. ...
  • Surgery. ...
  • Medications. ...
  • Coiling. ...
  • Clamping. ...
  • Surgery.
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At what blood pressure can you have a stroke?

Blood pressure readings above 180/120 mmHg are considered stroke-level, dangerously high, and require immediate medical attention.
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What is a silent stroke?

What does that mean? A. A silent stroke refers to a stroke that doesn't cause any noticeable symptoms. Most strokes are caused by a clot that blocks a blood vessel in the brain. The blockage prevents blood and oxygen from reaching that area, causing nearby brain cells to die.
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Can I have a stroke and not know it?

Some people have strokes without realizing it. They're called silent strokes, and they either have no easy-to-recognize symptoms, or you don't remember them. But they do cause permanent damage in your brain. If you've had more than one silent stroke, you may have thinking and memory problems.
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What happens if a mini stroke goes untreated?

Even if a major stroke is avoided, repeated mini strokes can have a cumulative negative effect on one's brain health and cognitive function. In severe cases, vascular dementia may result from untreated cerebrovascular events.
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What foods can trigger a stroke?

Foods That Can Trigger A Stroke
  • Processed Foods That Contain Trans Fat. Processed foods or junk foods, such as crackers, chips, store-bought goods and fried foods, typically contain a lot of trans fat, a very dangerous type of fat because it increases inflammation in the body. ...
  • Smoked And Processed Meats. ...
  • Table Salt.
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How long does a mini stroke last?

This can cause sudden symptoms similar to a stroke, such as speech and visual disturbance, and numbness or weakness in the face, arms and legs. But a TIA does not last as long as a stroke. The effects last a few minutes to a few hours and fully resolve within 24 hours.
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Where is a stroke headache located?

Stroke-Related Headaches

Oftentimes, the area affected by the headache is directly related to where the stroke occurs. For example, a blocked carotid artery can cause a headache on the forehead, while a blockage towards the back of the brain can cause a headache towards the back of the head.
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Which arm hurts during a stroke?

In some cases, left arm pain and numbness may indicate a heart attack or stroke. These medical emergencies require immediate attention. However, there are other causes of left arm pain and numbness that do not need emergency help.
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Can aspirin prevent stroke?

Low doses of aspirin — such as 75 to 100 milligrams (mg), but most commonly 81 mg —can be effective at preventing heart attack or stroke.
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What to do if you feel like having a stroke?

Call 911 immediately

“If you do observe any symptoms, you should call 911 immediately. You should also immediately tell the 911 dispatcher, 'I think I'm having a stroke' or 'I think my loved one is.
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What time of day do most strokes occur?

Ischaemic stroke, similar to myocardial infarction and sudden death, occurs most often after awakening in the morning hours. A meta-analysis of 31 publications reporting the circadian timing of 11 816 strokes found a 49% increase in stroke of all types between 06 00 and 12 00.
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What is the number 1 cause of stroke?

High blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke and is the main cause for increased risk of stroke among people with diabetes. Talk to your doctor about ways to keep diabetes under control.
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What happens before stroke?

The warning signs of stroke include: Weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg, usually on one side of the body. Trouble speaking or understanding. Problems with vision, such as dimness or loss of vision in one or both eyes.
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