Stroke Symptoms

Quick Glance: Common Stroke Symptoms

Symptoms of a stroke usually develop suddenly and affect movement, speech, vision, sensation or coordination. Common stroke symptoms are listed below:

• Sudden weakness or numbness mostly on one side of the face

• Drooping on one side of the face

• Sudden difficulty speaking or slurred speech

• Sudden difficulty understanding speech

• Sudden vision loss, blurring or double vision

• Sudden dizziness, loss of balance or difficulty walking

• Sudden confusion

• Sudden severe headache with no known cause

Symptoms of stroke vary according to the area of the brain affected and the extent of injury.

Symptoms of Stroke That Should Not Be Ignored

Stroke symptoms can sometimes be brief or appear less severe at first. However, sudden neurological changes should never be ignored, even if they improve within minutes.

The table below highlights important stroke symptoms and what they may indicate:

Why Do Stroke Symptoms Occur?

Stroke symptoms occur because a part of the brain suddenly stops functioning normally due to the blocked blood supply or damaged brain tissue caused by bleeding. Brain cells need a continuous supply of oxygen and nutrients, so interruption of blood flow can affect neurological function within minutes.

Damage to motor areas can cause facial drooping or weakness, while involvement of sensory pathways may cause numbness. Stroke affecting language areas can cause speech or comprehension problems, and damage to visual or coordination centres may cause vision loss, dizziness or difficulty walking. 

In a haemorrhagic stroke, bleeding and increased pressure around brain tissue can also cause severe headache, vomiting or reduced consciousness.

Symptoms of Stroke That Require Immediate Medical Attention

Every suspected stroke requires an emergency medical assessment. Do not wait to see whether the symptoms improve.

Seek emergency medical help immediately for:

• Sudden facial drooping

• Sudden weakness or numbness in an arm or leg

• Slurred speech or difficulty speaking

• Sudden confusion or difficulty understanding speech

• Sudden vision problems

• Sudden dizziness, loss of balance or inability to walk normally

• Sudden severe headache with no known cause

• Sudden reduced consciousness

• Stroke symptoms that disappear after a few minutes

A useful way to recognise common warning signs is BE FAST: Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms, Speech and Time to seek emergency help.

Symptoms of Stroke Based on Type

Ischaemic and haemorrhagic strokes can cause many of the same neurological symptoms. Some features may be more prominent with haemorrhagic stroke, but symptoms alone cannot reliably determine the type.

The table below compares the symptoms of different types of strokes:

Symptoms of Stroke-Specific Conditions

One important stroke-related condition with a recognisable symptom pattern is a transient ischaemic attack.

Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA)

A TIA causes the same sudden neurological symptoms as a stroke, such as facial weakness, arm weakness, speech difficulty, vision changes or loss of balance. The symptoms usually resolve after a short period because blood flow is restored before permanent brain infarction occurs.

A TIA cannot reliably be distinguished from a stroke when symptoms first appear, so emergency medical assessment is still required.

Symptoms of Stroke in Children

Stroke can occur in children, although it is less common than in adults. Children can develop the same sudden weakness, speech or vision problems seen in adults, but seizures and changes in consciousness may be more prominent, particularly in younger children.

Stroke symptoms that may be noticed by parents are:

• Sudden weakness or numbness on one side

• Sudden facial weakness or drooping

• Sudden speech or language difficulty

• Sudden vision problems

• Sudden difficulty walking or loss of coordination

• Sudden or severe headache

• New seizures

• Sudden vomiting with neurological symptoms

• Unusual drowsiness or loss of consciousness

A new seizure accompanied by persistent weakness or another neurological change should prompt urgent medical assessment.

Can You Have a Stroke Without Symptoms?

A typical clinical stroke usually causes neurological symptoms. However, a silent or covert cerebral infarction can occur without a recognised episode of sudden neurological dysfunction and may be discovered incidentally on CT or MRI.

This is different from a TIA. A TIA produces stroke-like symptoms that resolve, whereas a silent cerebral infarction may occur without noticeable acute symptoms.

When Can Stroke Symptoms Become Life-Threatening?

Stroke can become life-threatening when extensive brain injury, bleeding, swelling or neurological dysfunction affects consciousness, breathing or other vital functions. The table below highlights symptoms that can indicate a particularly severe stroke or complication:

Any suspected stroke is an emergency, even when these severe features are absent.

How are Stroke Symptoms Diagnosed?

Doctors assess the symptoms of stroke, when they started and how they changed, and perform neurological and other investigations. The following tests and assessments may be used to diagnose the possibility of a stroke: