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Neurology and Neuroscience
Symptoms of Stroke
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Early Warning Signs and Symptoms of Stroke
It is crucial to get to a hospital immediately at the first effects or symptoms of a stroke:
- Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg (especially on just one side of the body).
- Difficulty walking, speaking, understanding, or seeing with one or both eyes.
- Sudden confusion, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination.
These warning signs are the same for both types of stroke: ischemic and hemorrhagic.
Symptoms of Ischemic Stroke, Mini-Strokes and TIAs
An early warning sign of an impending ischemic stroke is one or more transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) or "mini-strokes."
TIAs are critical warning signs that a stroke may be on the way in the coming days or months.
During a TIA, blood flow to a part of the brain is temporarily restricted, leading to transient neurological deficits. The symptoms may be the same as those of a stroke but milder, and may last only a few minutes.
NewYork-Presbyterian is a recognized leader in stroke treatment and stroke research. Contact us if you have questions about stroke, but call 911 if you are experiencing signs or symptoms of stroke.
