Weakness

What the victim might feel:

"My left arm went tingly all of a sudden and that scared me. It quickly got worse and I felt I couldn’t lift it. Then when I stood, my leg couldn’t bear my weight like normal. I started to panic."

What the observer might see:

"She looked ashen and was having trouble standing. It seemed she was favouring one leg over the other. When she went to pick up the phone, she dropped the receiver. I called 911."

What the Healthcare Professional might say:

"She was suffering a loss of strength on one side of her body. I noted a partial paralysis in her face on the same side. It was lucky her husband called 911."

Not all individuals experience the same signs of stroke, or experience them in the same way. Stroke signs usually appear suddenly and without warning, and they may not last for a long time, so knowing the signs helps you recognize and react quickly. You may not be aware you are having a stroke unless you know these signs. Sudden weakness is one of the five warning signs of stroke. Weakness, sudden loss of strength, or sudden numbness can occur in the face, arm or leg. The tingling might occur slightly at first and become more pronounced over time or can be temporary (for example, one or two hours). On its own, weakness can be an indicator, but if accompanied by other signs such as trouble speaking, vision problems, headache, and/or dizziness, the likelihood of stroke is strong.

A stroke is a medical emergency. It deprives the brain of oxygen-carrying blood, which kills brain cells at an alarming rate. Every minute is critical. Learning to recognize the signs of stroke may save a life – it could be yours, or someone you love. Call 911 immediately. Medical attention can lead to better chances of survival and recovery.