Stroke symptoms

Stroke symptoms come on suddenly. The most common symptoms are:

• Numbness or weakness of face, arm, or leg, especially on only one side of the body
• Confusion or trouble speaking or understanding
• Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination
• Severe headache with no known cause

Even if your stroke symptoms go away, call 911 right away. Temporary stroke symptoms are often caused by a "mini-stroke," or transient ischemic attack (TIA). A TIA happens when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked temporarily.

TIAs may not last long, but they still require treatment. Also, a TIA could be a sign that you are about to have a full stroke.

For more information about stroke symptoms, call the OWH Helpline at 800-994-9662 or check out the following resources from other organizations:

• Know Stroke — The Know Stroke. Know the Signs. Act in Time. campaign from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS
• Stroke Warning Signs and Symptoms — Information from the American Stroke Association