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Symptoms & Risks

Many people think a stroke only affects the elderly, a common misconception. It can happen to anyone, at any time, regardless of age, gender, or race. However, up to 80% of strokes are preventable. Maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle plays a big role in stroke prevention, as common risk factors for stroke include:

  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes
  • High cholesterol
  • Inactive lifestyle
  • Smoking

Symptoms of Stroke

When stroke occurs, an individual may experience sudden difficulties with common functions. The most common symptoms of stroke include:

  • Confusion or difficulty understanding
  • Difficulty speaking 
  • Dizziness or problems with balance or coordination 
  • Loss of consciousness 
  • Problems with movement or walking 
  • Seizure 
  • Severe headaches with no other known cause 
  • Vision problems, such as dimness or loss of vision in one or both eyes 
  • Weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body

Less common signs of stroke include sudden nausea, vomiting, or fever not caused by a viral illness, and brief loss or change of consciousness, such as fainting, confusion, seizures, or coma.

With Stroke, Time is Brain — Act F.A.S.T.

If you develop or see someone developing symptoms suggestive of a stroke — even if there is no pain — you have to think F.A.S.T.

  • Face — Uneven smile
  • Arm — Arm weakness or numbness
  • Speech — Slurred speech or difficulty talking
  • Time — You have to act quickly. Call 911 immediately

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