Stroke Symptoms

Stroke symptoms can be easily missed. When you have a stroke it damages your brain.

This may mean you don't realise what's happening. Anyone with you may be unaware and not know what to look for.

As time is vital in this situation and treatment should be started within 3 hours to minimise damage to your brain and potentially long term problems it's important to recognise the symptoms.

Signs of a Stroke

There are 5 main problems to look out for. They usually happen quite quickly

Facial weakness causing one side of the face to droop +/or arm or leg weakness particularly on one side
Sudden confusion or difficulty speaking or understanding speech
Loss of vision in one or both eyes
Severe headache for no apparent reason
Trouble walking, feeling dizzy or problems with coordination and balancing

If you or anyone you are with has any of these problems call an ambulance immediately and get to a hospital so a doctor can examine you and start any treatment.

Modern treatment if started within 3 hours can greatly reduce the damage caused in your brain and minimise later problems. Even if treatment is started after more than 3 hours later problems are minimised by treatment and rehabilitation commencing as soon as possible.

If you're worried about someone, call an ambulance so diagnosis and treatment can begin if needed. It's much better to be afe than sorry.

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