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Five Signs of a Stroke

Stroke occurs from a blocked or ruptured vessel providing blood to the brain. Once the flow of blood and oxygen has been stopped, cells die quickly and can't be repaired. According to The American Stroke Association, stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Despite this, much of the public still remains unaware of stroke signs.

  1. Walk

    • A major warning sign of stroke is a change in a person's walk. If you notice he is walking in a veering pattern, this is a sign of a stroke. A person exhibiting other walking signs of stroke may drag the foot on the side he is leaning toward. He may have begun to lose strength on one side of his body. Touch him to see if he can feel your touch. If you don't get a response seek medical help immediately.

    Speech

    • Other signs of stroke affect speech. If someone is exhibiting slurred speech or having trouble speaking, such as having a hard time with words, it may be a sign of a stroke. You may also notice the drooping of one side of the face and mouth. This is a sign that a stroke may be occurring and, as with other signs, medical attention should be sought.

    Reach

    • Another category involves dexterity and reach. Ask the person to put both arms up. If one arm begins to fall, this is a sign of stroke. Can the person feel your touch if you grab her hands? If not, it may be a sign of stroke. Ask her to squeeze both hands. If one is noticeably weaker than the other, a stroke is a possibility. You can also ask the person to grasp a pencil and see if she can hold it. The inability to hold a pencil is a possible warning sign of a stroke.

    Vision

    • Some common signs of stroke are vision oriented. The victim may experience blurred or double vision. During a stroke, the visual field of the victim can also become reduced. If the person is having a hard time seeing his entire visual field, he could possibly be having a stroke.

    Overall Feeling

    • General signs of a stroke include a severe headache, sensitivity to light and noise, an overall feeling of being sick and weak, and feeling disoriented or confused. Get to the hospital as soon as you suspect any of the signs of stroke. The sooner you get to the hospital, the better chance of a full recovery.

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