Am I Having a Stroke? 5 Common Signs of Strokes

Strokes are a serious medical condition that are among the leading causes of death in the United States.  Although people over age 65 are most likely to have a stroke, strokes can occur at any age. Knowing the risk factors of having a stroke can help you to answer the question “am I having a stroke” when symptoms arise.

Causes of Stroke

Strokes happen when blood flow to the brain stops.  This can happen due to a blood vessel bursting or becoming blocked.  In both instances, blood flow to that part of the brain stops.  Because blood carries oxygen to the brain, the impacted part of the brain begins to die.  The functions of the body controlled by that part of the brain no longer occur resulting in many of the symptoms of stroke.  There are two types of stroke - ischemic and hemorrhagic; both have different causes.

• Ischemic Stroke – Ischemic strokes occur when blood flow to the brain is blocked by a blood clot.  These clots may have traveled from a different part of the body or may develop due to artery disease.
• Hemorrhagic Stroke – Hemorrhagic strokes are the result of bleeding in the brain.  This bleeding may be due to an aneurysm, injury, or high blood pressure. 

Certain lifestyle choices and underlying health issues can increase the risk of having a stroke:

• High blood pressure
• Smoking
• High cholesterol  
• Heavy use of alcohol
• Use of recreational drugs
• Being obese or overweight
• Having a sedentary lifestyle

Signs of a Stroke

Each individual’s symptoms will vary based on a number of factors, including if the stroke is triggered by a clot or a bleed.  Some strokes have symptoms that have a sudden onset and seemingly no warning. Other strokes will have symptoms that gradually increase.  Small strokes can be difficult to identify as the decreased intensity of the symptoms can mimic a number of other illnesses.

The following symptoms should trigger the thought of “am I having a stroke" and an immediate call to 911:

• Sudden difficulty speaking or loss of the ability to speak
• Suddenly having difficulty with balance
• A headache that is sudden and that feels worse than any other headache
• Numbness on one side of the body
• The inability to move limbs

If your symptoms have made you ask “am I having a stroke,” it is important to seek medical assistance immediately. For assistance assessing your risk for stroke, speak with a board certified neurologist.Book online or simply call 212-987-0100.