Number 10: Sudden numbness or weakness. If one side of your face, arm, or leg feels weak or numb, it’s a classic stroke warning. For women, this might feel like your arm “falling asleep” or your face drooping when you smile. It’s caused by reduced blood flow to the brain’s motor areas.
Number 9: Trouble speaking or understanding. Struggling to form words, slurring speech, or not understanding what others are saying can signal a stroke. You might feel confused, like your brain is “stuck.” This happens when the brain’s language centers are affected.
Number 8: Vision problems. Sudden blurry vision, double vision, or loss of sight in one or both eyes is a red flag. Women may notice this more subtly, like trouble reading a label. It’s linked to disrupted blood flow to the brain’s visual cortex.
Number 7: Severe headache. A sudden, intense headache with no clear cause—like a migraine from nowhere—can be a stroke symptom, especially in women. Research indicates women report headaches more often than men during strokes, possibly due to hormonal factors.
Number 6: Dizziness or loss of balance. Feeling unsteady, like the room is spinning, or struggling to walk straight could point to a stroke. This is tied to the brain’s coordination centers losing oxygen. Here’s a mini-reward: if you feel dizzy, sit down immediately to avoid a fall and check for other symptoms.
