When you think of a stroke, you may picture sudden weakness on one side of the body or slurred speech. But some surprising signs can also indicate a stroke. To help prevent long-term damage, learn these less-obvious symptoms so that you can seek prompt medical care.
Sudden confusion or disorientation:
A sudden mental fog or difficulty understanding conversations, or becoming disoriented in familiar surroundings
Severe headache with no known cause:
The worst headache of your life, especially if it comes on suddenly
Trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of coordination:
Sudden difficulty walking, dizziness, lack of balance, clumsiness, or loss of coordination
Vision problems in one or both eyes:
Vision changes, such as sudden blurriness, seeing double, or loss of sight in one or both eyes
Face drooping or numbness:
Facial drooping, any sudden changes in the symmetry of your face, or numbness, particularly on one side of the face
Every minute counts:
BEFAST can help you remember the signs of a stroke. It stands for balance loss, eyesight changes, face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty, and time to call 911. If you or someone you see experiences any signs of stroke, call 911. The faster the person receives medical assistance, the better the chances of saving their life, reducing damage, and improving their recovery.
Emerson earned advanced stroke certification by The Joint Commission in collaboration with the American Heart Association. To learn more about stroke symptoms and Emerson’s outstanding stroke care, visit emersonhealth.org/stroke.
