Stroke (Cerebrovascular Accident): Symptoms
A stroke occurs if the flow of oxygen-rich blood to a portion of the brain is blocked. Without oxygen, brain cells start to die after a few minutes. Sudden bleeding in the brain also can cause a stroke if it damages brain cells.
Part of: Stroke (Cerebrovascular Accident)
Signs and Symptoms of a Stroke
The signs and symptoms of a stroke often develop quickly. However, they can develop over hours or even days.
The type of symptoms depends on the type of stroke and the area of the brain that’s affected. How long symptoms last and how severe they are vary among different people.
Signs and symptoms of a stroke may include:
Sudden weakness Paralysis (an inability to move) or numbness of the face, arms, or legs, especially on one side of the body Confusion Trouble speaking or understanding speech Trouble seeing in one or both eyes Problems breathing Dizziness, trouble walking, loss of balance or coordination, and unexplained falls Loss of consciousness Sudden and severe headacheA transient ischemic attack (TIA) has the same signs and symptoms as a stroke. However, TIA symptoms usually last less than 1-2 hours (although they may last up to 24 hours). A TIA may occur only once in a person’s lifetime or… Read more about Stroke (Cerebrovascular Accident): Symptoms