Early Warning Signs Of Stroke

If well recognized early warning signs of stroke can be treated and save your life. Knowing the symptoms before a stroke can be invaluable.

Since the most common types of stroke are ischemic, this can be treated aggressively if caught soon enough.

Early warning signs of stroke:

lack of coordination
dizziness
slurred speech
generalized weakness
headache that worsens with time

It is especially important if these symptoms go beyond 15 minutes to seriously consider going to the emergency room. Do not waste time calling your doctor's office. Why? Because with an ischemic stroke, the magic window for treatment is 3 hours. If a stroke team can get to you in that time, they may be able to "open" the artery that is shut down, thus avoiding severe or permanent damage.

At times it can be quite difficult to tell the difference between mild stroke symptoms and a TIA or transient ischemic attack. Therefore it is always better to get to the ER for further testing which would include a CT or MRI of the brain.

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