Warning Signs and Symptoms of Another Stroke

Seeing your loved one be overcome by stroke can be very scary. Most stroke survivors and their caregivers do not realize that stroke can happen again after the initial stroke. It is important to learn and recognize the warning signs and symptoms of another stroke, so you as the caregiver can seek treatment quickly for your loved one.

Stroke Warning Signs

If you notice your loved one is experiencing any of these signs of recurrent stroke, IMMEDIATELY CALL 9-1-1.

Sudden trouble with vision from one or both eyes
Sudden difficulties with walking, coordination, dizziness, and/or balance
Sudden trouble with speaking, confusion, memory, judgment or understanding
Sudden numbness/weakness of the face, arms, or legs, particularly on one side of the body
Sudden severe headache (described by survivors as “the worst headache of their life”)
Difficulty swallowing

It is also important to check the time you noticed the symptoms appeared. Some stroke treatments, such as a clot-busting drug called tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), can only be given within 3 hours that stroke symptoms occur. Every minute counts!

Stroke - there's treatment if you act FAST

Face - Face look uneven?

Arm - One arm hanging down?

Speech - Slurred Speech?

Time - Call 911 NOW!

Additional Information:

Please click the following websites for more information on the warning signs of another stroke:

Another Web Site Outlining Stroke Warning Signs

Think FAST to save a life!

References:

Family Caregiver Alliance. (2012). Stroke. Retrieved from http://www.caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/content_node.jsp?nodeid=578

National Stroke Association. (2012). Warning signs of stroke. Retrieved from http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=symp

Internet Stroke Center. (2012). Warning Signs. Retrieved from http://www.strokecenter.org/patients/about-stroke/warning-signs-of-stroke/

O’Connell, E., & Hartigan, I. (2011). Recognition of stroke symptoms by stroke survivors. British Journal of Neuroscience Nursing, 7(3), 541-547.

Stroebele, N., Muller-Riemenschneider, F., Nolte, C., Muller-Nordhorn, J., Bockelbrink, A., & Willich, S. (2011). Knowledge of risk factors, and warning signs of stroke: A systematic review from a gender perspective. International Journal of Stroke, 6(1), 60-66.

Caring Web

Warning Signs and Symptoms of Another Stroke