Selected store: 

Select a store

 Use my location

or

0

Symptoms of a Stroke

By Elizabeth Paolucci, PharmD
Resident Pharmacist
MCPHS University and Walgreens
What is a stroke?

What is a stroke? 1

A stroke occurs when something blocks blood supply to your brain or when a blood vessel in your brain bursts, interrupting oxygen getting to your brain. This blockage or burst can cause your brain cells to become damaged or die.

What are the symptoms of a stroke?

The signs and symptoms of a stroke can include:1, 2

  • Sudden numbness or weakness on one side of your face, arm, or leg
  • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, understanding speech
  • Sudden trouble seeing
  • Sudden trouble walking, loss of balance
  • Sudden severe headache

The fourth leading cause of death for women is having a stroke. Women are at an increased risk for having a stroke due to high blood pressure, certain types of birth control AND if they smoke, and have higher rates of anxiety. 1, 4, 5

Clinical studies seem to suggest that stroke symptoms appear differently in women than men. Women do experience the “traditional” symptoms as stated above, however, there are reports of women experiencing “non-traditional symptoms.” According to a study done in 2002 that was published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine, “women were more likely than men to present with nontraditional stroke symptoms.” The symptoms that were reported included the following:

  • Pain
  • Change in consciousness, disorientation
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Palpitations (sensation that the heart is racing)
  • Feeling weak all over
  • Nonspecific neurological symptoms, including hallucinations, seizures, sudden behavior changes

What is a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)? 1, 6, 7

Pre-stroke signs and symptoms may start a few days prior to an actual ischemic stroke. One in 3 patients who suffers from a transient ischemic attack will have an ischemic stroke in the preceding 7 days. Many call a transient ischemic attack (TIA) a “mini stroke,” however it is a major warning. TIA is a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain—no more than 5 minutes—and may be a warning to having a stroke in the future. TIA symptoms occur rapidly and only last a short period of time. When a TIA is over, there is no permanent damage to the brain like there is with a stroke.

The symptoms of a “mini stroke,” also called a TIA, can resemble early signs and symptoms of a stroke, however, these symptoms will resolve unlike symptoms of a stroke:

  • Sudden weakness, numbness, tingling or paralysis of one side of your body
  • Slurred speech or difficulty understanding others
  • Vision changes
  • Dizziness, loss of coordination
  • Confusion
  • Sudden, severe headache

What is an Ischemic stroke? 1

The majority of strokes are ischemic strokes, in which blood flow is blocked to the brain. Ischemic stroke presents as the “typical symptoms” of a stroke: sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, sudden confusion, loss of vision, trouble walking, loss of balance, and sudden onset of a severe headache.

Do some people have strokes without realizing it? 1

This is referred to as a “silent stroke.” You probably won’t know you’ve had a silent stroke without having a brain scan done that shows some damage on the scan. A silent stroke usually has no symptoms, however, you might have slight memory problems or slight difficulty getting around.

What are warning signs of a stroke?

Due to the block of blood flow to the brain, cells start to die within minutes from lack of oxygen. Every minute counts, and you can help save a life by acting FAST! 1, 2, 5

Face drooping: Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile.

Arm weakness: Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

Speech difficulty: Is speech slurred, are they unable to speak, or are they hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase, like “the grass is green.” Is the phrase repeated correctly?

Time to call 911: If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if they go away, call 911 immediately and get them to the hospital.

It is important to get to the hospital as soon as these symptoms present—treatment depends on it!

Published on April 30, 2020

Resources:

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Stroke. https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/about.htm. Accessed February 6, 2020.

2. Mosley I, Nicol M, Donnan G, Patrick I, Dewey H. Stroke Symptoms and the Decision to Call for an Ambulance. Stroke. 2007; 38:361-366

3. Labiche LA, Chan W, Saldin KR, Morgenstern LB. Sex and acute stroke presentation. Ann Emerg Med. 2002;40:453–460.

4. Kothari R, Sauerbeck L, Jauch E, Broderic J, Brott T, Khoury J, Liu T. Patients’ awareness of stroke signs, symptoms, and risk factors. Stroke. 1997; 28: 1871-1875

5. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. A systems approach to immediate evaluation and management of hyperacute stroke. Experience at eight centers and implications for community practice and patient care. Stroke. 1997; 28: 1530-1540

6. Porteous G, Corry M, Smith W. Emergency medical services dispatcher identification of stroke and transient ischemic attack. Prehosp Emerg Care. 1999; 3: 211-216

7. Albers G, Caplan L, Easton D, Fayad P, Mohr J, Saver J, Sherman D. Transient Ischemic Attack – Proposal for a New Definition. New England Journal of Medicine. 2002; 347: 1713-1716

Related articles from