• Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg - especially on one side of the body.
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

A stroke is caused by a blockage of an artery (ischemic stroke) or the rupture of an artery (hemorrhagic stroke). Almost all strokes start suddenly. There can be a severe headache in a hemorrhagic stroke, but ischemic strokes are often painless.

Because stroke injures the brain, one is not always able to perceive their problems correctly. Usually someone other than the stroke victim recognizes that something is wrong. Therefore, it is important for everyone to know the warning signs of stroke.

If you feel a stroke is occurring, take action immediately. Call 9-1-1 and get to Decatur Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Care Center. Don’t ignore warning signs of stroke, even if they go away.

Information courtesy of the National Stroke Association.