STROKE SYMPTOMS
Call for emergency medical care immediately—dial 9-1-1 in the US and Canada
Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or trouble understanding
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Sudden difficulty walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or loss of coordination
Sudden severe headaches with no known cause
A focused medical history and physical examination, combined with computed tomography (CT scan) of the head, establish the diagnosis of stroke. It is important to rapidly evaluate persons who may be having a stroke in order to begin appropriate treatment and to try to limit lasting damage to the brain from a stroke.