Signs of Stroke
Stroke is the leading cause of long-term disability among adults in the United States and the third leading cause of death. Nearly 700,000 people suffer new or recurrent stroke each year and almost 165,000 die of the condition.
Know stroke warning signs
Stroke is a type of vascular disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel carrying oxygen to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. At that point, timing is everything. Patients suffering stroke need to get to a hospital very quickly. The first three hours are critical for saving lives and preventing disabilities.
If you experience any of the following stroke warning signs, call 9-1-1 immediately:
- Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion and/or trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
