✅
Ischemic Stroke (87% of cases)
A clot blocks a brain artery — often due to plaque buildup or heart-related clots
✅
Hemorrhagic Stroke (13%)
A blood vessel bursts in the brain — caused by high blood pressure, aneurysms, or trauma
✅
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
Temporary blockage that clears on its own — no lasting brain damage, but a serious warning
⚠️ All types are medical emergencies — even if symptoms go away.
⚠️ The Real Warning Signs: Know FAST
Most strokes strike suddenly — but they follow a pattern. Use the FAST acronym to spot them:
F – Face Drooping
One side of the face sags or feels numb — ask the person to smile
A – Arm Weakness
One arm becomes weak or numb — can they raise both arms?
S – Speech Difficulty
Slurred speech, confusion, or trouble understanding words
T – Time to Call 911
Even if symptoms fade — call emergency services immediately
✅ Remember: “Time lost is brain lost.”
🔥 Other Sudden Symptoms That Demand Immediate Care
If any of these occur suddenly, suspect stroke:
✅ Sudden severe headache
“Thunderclap” headache — common in hemorrhagic stroke
✅ Vision changes
Blurry or blackened vision in one or both eyes
✅ Dizziness or loss of balance
Especially if combined with other symptoms
✅ Confusion or trouble understanding
May be mistaken for intoxication or fatigue
✅ Numbness on one side
Often affects face, arm, or leg — especially if sudden
📌 These can happen in minutes, not weeks.
❗ Can You Really Feel a Stroke Coming Days Before?
While most strokes happen without long-term warning, there are two key scenarios where early signs appear:
1. Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA / Mini-Stroke)
Same symptoms as a stroke — but lasts less than 1 hour
Often dismissed as “dizziness,” “a weird moment,” or “just stress”
Not harmless — up to 50% of full strokes happen within 48 hours of a TIA
🩺 If you or someone has stroke-like symptoms that go away — still go to the ER.
2. Gradual Buildup of Risk Factors
These aren’t “warning signs,” but silent conditions that increase stroke risk over time:
