Warning Signs of Stroke

Monica Chavez – Stroke Program Clinical Coordinator

According to the American Stroke Association, in the U.S., someone will experience a stroke in the next 40 seconds and someone will die of a brain attack in the next four minutes. Chances of survival are minimal if the people you’re surrounded by don’t recognize stroke symptoms. Unfortunately, this might just be the case considering the results discovered by UCLA, in which 3 out of 4 young adults do not recognize the symptoms of a stroke. It is very important to educate yourself and those you love about the warning signs of stroke, especially since they slightly differ among men and women.

Each year stroke kills as many women as breast cancer, being the third leading cause of death in women. These are the unique symptoms of stroke in women:

  • Loss of consciousness or fainting
  • General weakness
  • Difficulty or shortness of breath
  • Confusion, unresponsiveness or disorientation
  • Sudden behavioral change
  • Hallucination
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Seizures

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in men. These are the most common symptoms of stroke that both men and women may experience:

  • Weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg on one side of the body
  • Loss of vision in one or both eyes
  • Loss of speech
  • Sudden, severe headache
  • Loss of balance

The American Heart Association came out with a memory tool that helps recognize these symptoms quicker through the use of the acronym F.A.S.T.

  • Facial drooping- Does one side of the person’s face droop when you ask them to smile?
  • Arm weakness- Does one arm drift downward when you ask the person to raise both arms?
  • Slurring of speech- Does the person slur speech when asked to repeat a simple phrase?
  • Time to call 911- Call 9-1-1 immediately if you see any of these signs

Some people have no warning signs before a stroke or, experience minor symptoms. If you notice one or more of these symptoms, quickly seek medical help by calling 911. It is important not to wait for symptoms to go away or worsen.

Scheduling a regular checkup with your doctor is also important in catching problems before they become serious. Knowing your risk factors for stroke is essential, Hialeah Hospital offers Stroke Risk Assessments. If you or loved one is interested in knowing your stroke risk factors contact Hialeah Hospital at 1-800-470-7422 to schedule your free assessment today.


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