Stroke Signs and Symptoms

Q: What causes a stroke?

There are two major kinds of stroke, and their causes are different. An ischemic stroke is caused by a blood clot that blocks a blood vessel or artery to the brain. About 85% of all strokes are ischemic. A hemorrhagic stroke is caused by a blood vessel in the brain breaking and bleeding.

At Prisma Health, we want you to know the symptoms of a stroke. Strokes appear suddenly and require treatment as quickly as possible.

Any of the following can be a sign of stroke – and they do not all have to happen at once:

Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech.
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
Sudden severe headache with an unknown cause.

If you see any of these warning signs, BE FAST:

B – Balance off /dizziness

Ask the person if they are experiencing a sudden loss of balance or coordination.

E – Eyes

Ask the person if they have experienced sudden blurred vision, double vision or sudden, persistent vision trouble.

F – Face drooping

Ask the person to smile. If the face droops on one side, that is a sign of a stroke.

A – Arm weakness

Ask the person to raise both arms. If they cannot hold one arm up, that is a sign of a stroke.

S – Speech difficulty

Ask the person to say a few easy words. If they talk like they are drunk (slurred speech) or you cannot understand what they are trying to say, that is a sign of a stroke.

T – Time to call 911

Time is very important. The sooner you get to the hospital, the better your chances are for improving or getting better. If you wait too long, you may get worse or may not get better.

Call 911 immediately and ask to be taken to the closest Primary Stroke Center.

The ambulance will call the hospital and tell them your signs. The stroke team will be ready to care for you when you arrive.

Frequently asked questions about strokes

Does a stroke affect just the brain?

Stroke is a condition of the brain. Because the brain controls everything the body does, a stroke can affect the entire body. When brain cells don't function, the part of the body they control can't function as it did before the stroke. Some of the disabilities that can result from a stroke can be permanent because dead brain cells can't be repaired.

Disabilities that can result from a stroke can range from mild to severe and include:

Paralysis or weakness
Loss of vision
Dizziness and loss of balance
Problems with thinking and memory
Difficulties with speaking
Difficulty swallowing
Incontinence
Emotional problems
Pain or numbness

What causes a stroke?

What is a stroke?

A stroke, sometimes called a "brain attack," occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted. When this happens, brain cells in the immediate area stop getting the oxygen and nutrients they need to function. Some of these brain cells die immediately, while others remain at risk for death. Cells within the damaged area of the brain can remain at risk for several hours. With timely treatment, these cells can be saved.

Why is getting to the hospital so urgent?

Effective therapies for stroke are available at Prisma Health, and one of these life-saving therapies, tPA, must be administered within three hours. To be evaluated and receive treatment in time, it is important to get to the hospital within 60 minutes. Patients arriving inside this "golden hour" are twice as likely to qualify to receive the clot-busting drug tPA, which is needed to reverse stroke symptoms.

There are also acute stroke therapies that may stop a stroke while it is happening. These include quickly dissolving the blood clot causing an ischemic stroke or stopping the bleeding of a hemorrhagic stroke. For these to work, you must seek emergency treatment right away.

Search Prisma Health

Stroke Signs and Symptoms

If you see any of these warning signs, BE FAST:

Frequently asked questions about strokes

Related Pages