What to Watch For:
Weakness in one arm, leg, or both.
Drooping of one side of the face (check by asking the person to smile).
Difficulty lifting an arm or leg without it drifting downward.
Why It Happens:This occurs due to reduced blood flow to the part of the brain responsible for motor control.
2. Sudden Confusion or Difficulty SpeakingA person experiencing a stroke may suddenly struggle with speech or comprehension, even if they were speaking normally moments before.
What to Watch For:Slurred or garbled speech.
Difficulty understanding simple instructions.
Trouble forming coherent sentences.
How to Test:Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence like “The sky is blue.” If they struggle or their speech is unclear, seek medical help immediately.
3. Severe Headache with No Known CauseA sudden, severe headache—especially if it appears out of nowhere—can be a strong indicator of an impending stroke, particularly in hemorrhagic strokes (caused by bleeding in the brain).
What to Watch For:
A headache that feels like the worst pain ever experienced.
Accompanying dizziness, nausea, or vomiting.
Sudden onset with no clear reason (e.g., no injury or migraine history).
Sudden Vision Problems or Dizziness
Many people who experience a stroke report blurred vision, loss of vision in one or both eyes, or dizziness before the event.
What to Watch For:
Blurred or double vision.
Temporary or permanent vision loss in one eye.
