There are specific signs of stroke, including an important one you may not have heard of. Learn about stroke symptoms to look for and what immediate action to take (hint: it's not calling the doctor).
The earlier stroke treatment can begin, the better the chance for survival and the less it is that the person will suffer brain damage. Looked at the other way, the longer someone goes without blood supply to the brain, the greater the danger of serious permanent disabilities or even death. Stroke patients have the best chance for survival without damage if treated with a blood clot-busting drug within three hours of the start of symptoms. If you can recognize early stroke signs, you may be able to save a life by calling for emergency help.
Stroke Signs: What to Look for
"Sometimes, people just collapse," says Mark Alberts, MD, director of the stroke program at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago.
But other times, stroke signs may not be as obvious, based on how severe the stroke is and where in the brain it is occurring. "People watching [stroke victims] may not pick up on the fact that they are having trouble. What you’ll notice most often is that, when they’re talking, their speech is slurred or doesn't make sense, their face is drooping, or they are having trouble walking or standing," says Dr. Alberts.
Here's what to look for to help determine if someone is having a stroke:
• Communication difficulties. The person is having difficulty speaking  either unable to say the words or come up with the right words to say  or understanding and responding appropriately.
• Physical weakness. The person having a stroke seems to be weak or feels numb (often on only one side of the body), has trouble walking, and appears to be unbalanced and have difficulty with coordination.
• Diminished mental ability. Confusion is one of the more common stroke signs, and the victim may suddenly not be able to read or write, for example.
• Vision trouble. Someone having a stroke often complains of not being able to see or of having double vision.
• Loss of consciousness. Someone having a stroke may completely lose consciousness, or seem extremely tired or lethargic.
• Severe headache. The person may complain of an extremely severe headache that strikes suddenly and without any clear cause; this is significant, and one of the least-known stroke symptoms.
