12 Early Signs of Stroke

If you’re with someone, especially elderly people and they are experiencing sudden weakness and numbness, it would be easy to assume they are just tired, and the symptoms will pass after a nap. However, these may be signs – “early signs” – of stroke.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in Australia and a major cause of severe, lifelong disability. It occurs when the blood flow into the brain is interrupted (ischemic stroke) or when the blood vessels in the brain bursts open (hemorrhagic stroke). Some people fully recover completely from strokes, but more than half of stroke survivors are often left with lifelong effects.

The key to lower the chance of disability and death is the early recognition of stroke symptoms. Did you know that there are multiple ways to tell if someone is experiencing a stroke? The acronym F.A.S.T helps you easily identify the common first signs of stroke for both men and women.

Here are the common signs and symptoms as well as ‘early signs’ that someone may exhibit if having a stroke:

Face Drooping

Each letter of the acronym F.A.S.T. represents a symptom and "F" refers to the face.

The face of the stroke victim may sag or go numb during an attack. To confirm, ask the person suspected of stroke to smile and see if the one side is drooping. Someone manifesting the symptom may have an uneven smile and the corner of their mouth tend to droop.

Arm Weakness

“A” stands for the arms. In the event of a stroke, the arms may feel extreme numbness or weakness. A stroke sufferer is usually not able to lift and hold both arms for a period of time. Even if they do, one arm will tend to drift downward.

Slurred Speech

“S” stands for speech. People suffering a stroke may slur their speech or have difficulty speaking at all. Unable to articulate simple words and repeat a simple sentence are red flags on this symptom.

Time

The “T” in F.A.S.T is not a symptom. It stands for ‘time’ and means that you should call 000 right away if all the symptoms above were present.

Confusion

Someone suffering a stroke will appear confused and have difficulty to express themselves. This is due to the insufficient blood flow to the part of the brain responsible for language.

Vision problems

Stroke has an effect on the vision. The person will usually have blurry vision and have trouble with eyesight in one or both eyes.

Muscle stiffness

Stroke occasionally impairs the cerebellum which controls the balance, movement, and coordination of the body. Stroke victims will experience muscle stiffness and may result in loss of balance.

Difficulty Breathing

Before the onset of a stroke, the person may frequently have trouble breathing or shortness of breath. If this symptom suddenly appears with no good reason, it’s best to seek emergency medical help.

Violent headaches

Stroke causes headaches that are more painful than the usual ones.

Hiccups

Persistent hiccups may indicate the onset of a stroke. So, pay attention to your hiccups.

Nausea or vomiting

Someone having a stroke attack may suddenly feel nauseous and start vomiting. This two may also be accompanied by severe headaches and dizziness.

Behavioral change

Feeling upset and agitated may strike suddenly and without a cause.

If you see someone who may be having these ‘early signs’ remember to think and act F.A.S.T! When it comes to spotting and treating stroke, the faster, the better. Immediate first aid treatment can make the difference between life and death — or the difference between a full recovery and a long-term disability.

Take First Aid Pro first aid and CPR courses and learn important life-saving skills, including how to recognise signs of stroke, how to perform CPR and use an AED.