Are You Aware of These 6 Uncommon Stroke Symptoms?

Stroke is a major cause of serious disability for adults and a leading cause of death in the United States.

Every 40 seconds, an individual in the United States suffers from a stroke, while every 3.5 minutes, a person dies of a stroke. It is a significant contributor to severe, long-term disability, reducing mobility in over half of stroke survivors aged 65 years and older.

Risk factors for stroke include age, high blood pressure, smoking, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, and diabetes. A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is cut off, killing brain cells and potentially leading to long-term disability and affecting cognitive and emotional function.

The most common cause of stroke is a blockage by a blood clot in the arteries supplying the brain, often due to atherosclerosis, where blood vessels become narrowed or blocked over time by fatty deposits known as plaques.

The CDC commonly remembers stroke symptoms with the acronym FAST, which stands for Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, and Time to call emergency services. Patients experiencing a stroke often exhibit these symptoms, and time is of the essence in seeking medical attention.

However, other tell-tale signs of a stroke are just as common but often overlooked, with one in seven stroke patients not experiencing any FAST symptoms.

In addition to the FAST acronym, two experts have revealed additional signs to look out for.

Sudden Numbness that occurs on one side of the body is a common symptom that typically affects the face, hand, arm, or leg.

According to Professor Martin Dennis, a renowned stroke medicine expert at the University of Edinburgh, nerve compression is frequently responsible for this symptom, especially when sitting or lying down, leading to pressure on nerves.

Nevertheless, if a person experiences sudden numbness in both the face and arm or arm and leg simultaneously, this could indicate a more serious underlying condition. It is crucial to note that not all stroke patients will experience all the signs. However, if someone experiences numbness in addition to any of the symptoms listed under the FAST acronym, immediate medical help should be sought.

Blurred or lost vision in one or both eyes is a common symptom of stroke. Surprisingly, this symptom may not be as well-known as facial weakness, despite a 2017 study published in the journal Stroke, which concluded that 40% of stroke sufferers who do not experience FAST symptoms listed visual problems as one of their stroke symptoms.

“Loss of sight to one side or double vision which disappears when closing either eye are both important symptoms of stroke,” Professor Dennis explained to Mailonline.

According to Professor Dennis, loss of vision in one eye, whether it is temporary or lasts more than a day, may suggest a problem with the circulation to the eye and pose a risk of stroke. Nevertheless, thrombolysis or thrombectomy treatment is not necessary in such cases.

He further cautioned that individuals experiencing a sudden inability to perform simple tasks such as using a TV remote, operating household appliances, or getting dressed, should not overlook these signs, as they could indicate a stroke.

Although memory loss is not a direct symptom of stroke, it can be an indicator of a life-threatening condition. Confusion and difficulty understanding speech are common signs of stroke, which could be mistaken for memory loss by an onlooker.

According to Professor Dennis, sudden memory loss could appear to be a rare sign of a stroke. Hence, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention if someone exhibits any of these symptoms.

Professor Dennis explained that individuals who develop aphasia or dysphasia, which are language comprehension difficulties, may have trouble forming coherent sentences and struggle to understand spoken words. Such individuals may also face challenges with reading and writing. People who observe these symptoms may describe the affected individual as confused or having memory loss because they are unable to answer questions.

Vertigo, the sensation of spinning around you or the environment, can occur due to several underlying health conditions. It is commonly harmless and can be a sign of an ear infection or headache. However, when experienced with double vision, weakness or clumsiness of the limbs, and slurred speech, it can indicate a stroke.

According to Professor Dennis, isolated vertigo is usually due to a minor problem in the ear’s balance system and is prevalent. According to a study conducted in 2016, between 15,000 to 25,000 people suffer from a stroke every year and experience initial symptoms of dizziness or vertigo, leading to serious harm or potentially preventable consequences due to misdiagnosis.

Moreover, a separate 2017 study reveals that four in ten stroke victims who did not experience typical symptoms reported experiencing vertigo.

Although rare, a sudden, severe headache can indicate signs of a stroke. As per Professor Dennis, although commonly associated with migraines, a sudden, severe headache could also indicate a subarachnoid or intracerebral bleed in some cases.

A subarachnoid haemorrhage, which is a rare type of stroke, involves bleeding in the space surrounding the brain. Such bleeding between the thin layers of tissue that cover the brain can result in severe side effects, including disability or even death.

While a headache is not commonly a sign of a stroke, Professor Martin James, a consultant stroke physician, cautions that it is still a medical emergency for fear of subarachnoid haemorrhage. Dr Joseph Kwan, a senior stroke physician, points out that a headache is not a precise enough symptom to include in the FAST list as it may trigger too many false alarms.

While difficulty swallowing is not usually a sign of a stroke on its own, it should still be taken seriously, according to Professor James. Professor Dennis stated that if someone experiences food or liquid going down the wrong way, causing them to choke, it could indicate a stroke. However, it is almost always accompanied by other stroke symptoms such as weakness of the limbs or face or difficulty with speech.

The Stroke Association notes that this symptom is commonly associated with severe strokes.

“Swallowing is a complicated task that needs your brain to coordinate many different muscles,” Professor Dennis said.

“If your stroke damages the parts of your brain that do this, then this will affect your ability to swallow. Swallowing problems are also known as dysphagia.”

Approximately 15 million adults in the US are believed to be affected by dysphagia.

The chief executive of the Stroke Association, Julie Bouverie, suggests that stroke experiences and symptoms “can vary from person to person.”

However, if an individual notices signs of a stroke or something feels amiss, it is essential to call 9-1-1 immediately as suggested by the CDC.

This helps in receiving a prompt scan and consultation with a stroke specialist upon arriving at the hospital, giving the affected person or their loved one the best chance of survival and recovery.

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