According to CDC research, someone in the United States suffers a stroke every 40 seconds. This statistic is alarming, especially when you consider that these strokes are responsible for death every three minutes and 11 seconds.
When thinking of a stroke, most people picture sudden weakness on one side of the body or trouble speaking. While these are common signs, strokes can sometimes start with much less obvious symptoms.
At Memphis Neurology, we want you to know that recognizing these subtle signs could save your life or the life of someone you love. Time matters, so the faster you act, the better the chances for recovery.
Let’s go over five less obvious symptoms of an acute stroke that you should never ignore.
Imagine you’re having an everyday conversation, and suddenly, things stop making sense. Maybe you find yourself struggling to follow simple instructions, or you’re confused about where you are. This is different from everyday forgetfulness — it could be your brain signaling something is wrong.
An acute stroke could reduce blood flow to parts of the brain that control understanding and memory. Even if there’s no slurred speech, feeling mentally foggy or confused out of nowhere is a red flag. If you or someone nearby experiences this, don’t brush it off. Call 911 immediately.
Have you ever felt dizzy or unsteady for no apparent reason? While it’s easy to blame fatigue or dehydration, sudden balance problems can point to a stroke.
Part of the brain, called the cerebellum, helps control balance and movement. If a stroke affects this area, you might feel like the room is spinning, have trouble walking straight, or even fall without warning.
If this happens and it’s not something you usually experience, get help immediately. Quick treatment can make a big difference.
Another subtle stroke warning sign is a sudden vision change. You might notice blurriness, double vision, or even a complete loss of sight in one eye. Some people describe it as a curtain coming down over their field of vision.
These sight problems happen because a stroke can block blood flow to the areas of the brain that process visual information. Even if the change is temporary, it’s still an emergency. Don’t wait for it to pass — seek medical care fast.
While many people know that weakness on one side of the body is a stroke sign, numbness or tingling can also be an early clue. Take it seriously if you suddenly feel unexplainable pins-and-needles sensations in your face, arm, or leg, especially if it’s only on one side.
This sensation happens when the stroke interrupts nerve signals between the brain and the body. It might start as a mild feeling, but it can quickly worsen. Calling for emergency help as soon as these symptoms appear can help prevent permanent damage.
Most headaches are not a sign of a stroke. However, a sudden, intense headache (often described as the worst headache of your life by those who experience it) can be a warning sign, especially if it comes out of nowhere.
This type of headache may signal a hemorrhagic stroke caused by a blood vessel in your brain bursting. Along with the headache, you might feel nauseous, vomit, and become sensitive to light.
Remember the phrase “Time is brain.” Every minute counts because brain cells quickly begin to die when a stroke cuts off their blood supply.
Stroke is a significant cause of mortality in the US, accounting for around one in every 21 deaths. Understanding the subtle stroke symptoms above is a powerful way to protect your and your loved ones’ health.
If you notice any of these signs in yourself or someone else, call 911 right away; don’t wait to see if things improve. If the symptoms are due to a stroke, early detection and rapid treatment could make the difference between fully recovering and suffering lasting damage.
If it’s a transient ischemic attack (TIA or mini-stroke), the person may well improve, sometimes quite quickly. This is because the blockage is temporary in a TIA, so the brain functions again when it clears. However, a TIA is still a serious issue because it means your risk of a stroke is very high.
Stay informed, stay alert, and share this information with your loved ones. You never know whose life you might save. Call the Memphis Neurology office or use the online inquiry form for more information on stroke prevention, early identification, and treatment.
