Depending on the severity of the stroke, symptoms may be mild or severe. It might not be obvious at first that the person is having a stroke.
Use the FAST acronym to check for warning signs of a stroke.
It stands for:
F - Face
Is the face numb or does it droop on one side?
A - Arms
Is one arm numb or weaker than the other? They can't lift both arms?
S - Speech
Is speech slurred or garbled?
Other stroke symptoms include:
- Blurred or dim vision, especially in one eye
- Tingling, weakness, or numbness on one side of the body
- Nausea
- Difficulty swallowing
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Headache - usually severe and abrupt
- Dizziness or light headedness
- Loss of balance
- Loss of consciousness
If you or someone else has stroke symptoms, even if they are subtle or go away, don't wait - call Triple Zero (000).
What can cause a stroke?
A stroke occurs when there isn't enough blood flowing to the brain. Without it, the brain doesn't receive enough oxygen to function properly.
Things that can cause this include:
- Blocked arteries
- Blood clots
- Ruptured artery
