One of the most common first symptoms of a stroke is sudden loss of feeling or weakness in the face, arms, or legs, often affecting only one side of the body.
✔ Why is this happening?
✔ Why is this happening?
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted, thus disrupting the oxygen supply to the areas responsible for controlling movement.
This leads to muscle weakness or paralysis, which usually only affects one side of the body.
🚨 How to recognize it:
- Ask the person to raise both arms. If one arm drops, it is a warning sign.
- Look at their faces. One side of their face may droop as they try to smile.
- Check your grip. One hand may feel significantly weaker than the other.
💡 What to do:
- If you notice this symptom, call an ambulance immediately.
- Don't wait for the problem to resolve itself: Every minute counts!
2. Confusion, slurred speech, or difficulty understanding
If someone suddenly has trouble speaking, understanding words, or forming sentences, this could be a stroke.
✔ Why is this happening?
A stroke can damage the areas of the brain responsible for speech, which can lead to difficulty speaking and understanding conversations.
🚨 How to recognize it:
Ask them to repeat a simple sentence, such as: “The sky is blue.”
If they speak slurredly, don’t understand what they’re saying, or seem confused, it’s a warning sign.
💡 What to do:
Stay calm and speak slowly to the injured person.
Call a doctor immediately.
3. Severe headaches and dizziness without any obvious cause
Sudden, extremely painful headaches, often described as "the worst headache of my life," can be a symptom of a stroke.
✔ Why is this happening?
A stroke can cause a blood vessel in the brain to burst, resulting in a hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding in the brain). This causes severe pressure, pain, and dizziness.
🚨 How to recognize it:
The headache comes on suddenly and intensely.
Sufferers may experience dizziness, nausea, or even fainting.
Light or noise can be overwhelming.
💡 What to do:
Don't ignore the pain! Call an ambulance immediately.
4. Visual disturbances or loss of coordination
Blurred vision, difficulty seeing in one or both eyes, or trouble walking straight can be negative symptoms of an impending stroke.
✔ Why is this happening?
A stroke impairs the brain's ability to process visual information and maintain balance.
🚨 How to recognize it:
A person may suddenly experience trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
They may stumble, feel dizzy, or lose their balance.
They may appear disoriented and unable to walk normally.
💡 What to do:
Help the person sit up to prevent them from falling.
Call an ambulance immediately.
Do not give the child any food, drink or medication until emergency services arrive.
What to do in case of a stroke? RAPID INTERVENTION CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE!
🚨 Use the FAST method to solve your stroke problem:
✅ F – Drooping face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop? A – Arm weakness: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm droop? S – Speech difficulties: Ask the person to say a simple sentence. Does the person have trouble speaking? T – Emergency call 112: If you notice any of these symptoms, call the emergency services 112 immediately!
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💡 Why time is important:
- Every second counts: brain cells begin to die within minutes.
- Timely medical intervention can prevent permanent disabilities.
- Treatment of stroke, for example with anticoagulants, is most effective within 3 hours of symptom onset.
