Johns Hopkins Health Alerts | Hypertension & Stroke | Stroke Symptoms

• It’s common for people to deny the possibility of something as serious as a stroke -- don’t hesitate to take prompt action.

Much more publicity is given to the symptoms of a heart attack than a stroke. Yet like a heart attack, a stroke is an emergency that requires immediate medical attention—and getting to the hospital as soon as symptoms start is essential, since drug therapy is most likely to be effective within the first three hours of stroke onset.

Listed below are the symptoms of a stroke, as well as what to do in the event of a stroke.

Symptoms of Stroke:

• Sudden weakness or numbness in the face, arm, or leg on one side of the body.

• Sudden loss, blurring, or dimness of vision.

• Mental confusion, loss of memory, or sudden loss of consciousness.

• Slurred speech, loss of speech, or problems understanding others.

• Sudden, severe headache with no apparent cause.

• Unexplained dizziness, drowsiness, loss of coordination, or falls.

• Nausea and vomiting, especially when accompanied by any of the above symptoms.

Actions To Take in the Event of a Stroke:

• Stay calm. Ignore any tendency to downplay a stroke symptom; it’s common for people to deny the possibility of something as serious as a stroke. Don’t hesitate to take prompt action.

• Call or have someone call an ambulance. (Dial 911 in most parts of the United States.) Be sure to give your name, telephone number, and exact whereabouts.

• While waiting for the ambulance, the person suffering the stroke should be made as comfortable as possible and should not eat or drink anything other than water.

• If an ambulance cannot arrive for an extended period of time, a family member or neighbor should drive the stroke patient to the hospital. Under no circumstances should the person experiencing the stroke symptoms attempt to drive.

• Notify the stroke patient’s doctor. He or she can provide the hospital with the patient’s medical history, which may be important for determining the best type of treatment for the stroke.

• At the hospital, be sure to list any medical conditions the stroke patient has (such as high blood pressure), any allergies the patient has (particularly to medication), and any medications the patient is currently taking.

Johns Hopkins Health Alerts | Hypertension & Stroke | Stroke Symptoms