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What Are Stroke-Like Symptoms?

A stroke is an interruption of normal blood flow to any part of the brain. It can be caused by many factors, including blocked or broken arteries, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure, according to the National Stroke Association. This reduces the amount of oxygen delivered to the brain, which kills brain cells in minutes. Stroke symptoms happens without warning and very quickly. Therefore, early detection of stroke can minimize the risk of permanent brain damage and death.

  1. Droopy Face

    • One side of the face may appear to droop down, especially in the eyelids and mouth. Ask the person to smile. If the person has a stroke, only one side of the mouth will lift up. The person may have trouble seeing in one eye, speaking or understanding simple commands.

    Loss of Motor Control

    • Numbness or loss of motor control on one side of the body is a common symptom for stroke. Ask the person to raise both arms out to the sides or to the front. See if both arms move together at the same speed and distance away from the body. If one arm tends to droop down, then that person may have a stroke. Ask the person to respond in short sentences, such as "How are you feeling?" or "What is your name?" If they cannot speak or if their speech is slurred, then it is an indication of a stroke.

    Headaches

    • Frequent migraines can lead to stroke or are symptoms of a stroke itself. Migraines can cause damage to blood vessels that feed nutrients and oxygen to the brain and increase the likelihood of a stroke. This is often associated with stress, high blood pressure and lack of exercise.

    Call to Action

    • If these symptoms occur in a person with stroke, call 9-1-1 immediately to get acute medical care to minimize the risk of permanent brain damage and death. The longer you wait to get medical help, the less blood flow there is to the brain. Stroke victims need to get to a hospital for emergency care in less than 60 minutes, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

    Prevention

    • Maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise and reducing stress levels help reduce your risk of stroke, according to the Centers for Disease Control. These are things that you have control of and responsibility to do to prevent a stroke from happening. Reducing sodium and alcohol in your diet can lower your blood pressure, while eating more dietary fiber can lower your cholesterol to reduce artery blockage. Exercise of any type can increase your heart strength and improve blood flow which also lowers stress levels.

      If you smoke, quitting will lower your risk of a stroke. Check with your physician on how you can quit smoking and recommend resources to improve your physical fitness.

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