Last Updated on June 23, 2025 by Lauretta Iyamu, PharmD
Stroke is now the second leading cause of death globally. According to CDC statistics, one in every six deaths from cardiovascular disease was due to stroke. Therefore, it is essential everyone recognizes the early signs of a stroke.
Early Signs of Stroke
Stroke can be classified into two;
- Ischemic stroke
- Hemorrhagic stroke.
An ischemic stroke occurs when there is a blockage of blood vessels, causing a reduction in blood flow in the brain. Hemorrhagic stroke refers to a rupture of the blood vessel resulting in leakage of blood in the brain.
The symptoms presented by both kinds of stroke can be similar and different depending on which part of the brain is affected. Be sure to call an ambulance immediately if you notice any potential stroke signs.
1. You may think tiredness is causing you to see double:
Vision problems such as blurriness, seeing double, and loss of sight in one eye can signify a stroke.
When a blood vessel is blocked, it can reduce the amount of oxygen that reaches your eyes, which causes visual problems that any other signs of a stroke may not follow.
2. You might think your arm is numb because it is just asleep:
It is straightforward to assume your arm or leg is excellent due to a compressed nerve if you just woke up from a nap.
If you feel numbness in your arm, which doesn’t go away in a few minutes, you should call the ambulance at once. Numbness or weakness on one side of your body is caused due to a decrease in blood flow through the arteries up to the spine.
3. You think that “it’s on the tip of your tongue” feeling due to exhaustion:
A common sign of stroke is sudden cognitive deficits. For example, you might find it challenging to think of a word sometimes, but if you struggle for a long time, you can’t think of anything to say or speak, and it becomes a significant concern.
4. You think Alcohol is behind your wobbliness:
Most people often believe they have balance problems after a drink; this shouldn’t be an issue because you won’t have delayed balance problems after a drink.
Balance issues can arise when there is a decrease in blood flow to the brain. So if you suddenly begin to stumble, can’t walk straight, or experience sudden dizziness, don’t wait for it to resolve; call an ambulance immediately.
5. You think “slurred speech” is caused by your medication:
Although some drugs, such as painkillers, can cause you to have slurred speech as a side effect. But if they are not side effects, you might present a stroke symptom and should get medical help immediately.
6. You ascribe that blinding headache to a migraine:
Do you know stroke can masquerade as migraine headaches because they have similar neurological symptoms? Although it might just be a migraine, it could be a stroke if you don’t have them. Therefore, you should treat it as a stroke and call for help immediately.
