10 Unmistakable Signs Your Body Might Be Sounding the Ischemic Stroke Alarm

An ischemic stroke is caused by a blockage in the blood vessel that transports blood to certain areas of the brain. The symptoms of an ischemic stroke may include limb weakness on one side of the body, facial drooping, and slurred speech. [1] Your body will usually show various signs that you are in danger of having an ischemic stroke.

The 10 Signs of an Ischemic Stroke

Ischemia is the medical term for “lack of blood supply”, and an ischemic stroke is also known as brain ischemia. It is the most common type of stroke and accounts for around 87% of all stroke cases. The rapid loss of blood circulating to the brain results in a loss of neural function. [2] Let’s take a look at the 10 signs that you might be at risk of suffering an ischemic stroke. 

1: You Suddenly Feel Weak or Numb

During an ischemic stroke, a sudden feeling of weakness or even numbness may affect one side of the body or face. Numbness involves loss of sensation (without necessarily impairing movement), while weakness affects muscle control (though sensation may remain unaffected). These symptoms are the result of blood flow disruption to the brain areas that control your nerves and muscles. The affected side may become droopy or flaccid, which could signal the onset of a stroke.

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2: You Experience Vision Loss

Your visual ability depends on having a healthy eye and brain. A stroke affecting the parietal, occipital, or temporal lobes can lead to vision loss. If the stroke impacts the right side of your brain, it often results in left-sided vision loss in both eyes and vice versa. Strokes in the temporal or parietal lobes may impair your spatial awareness, which would make it hard to recognize objects or faces. [3]

3: You Suddenly Get Headaches

Up to 65% of ischemic stroke patients experience a sudden headache at the onset of the stroke. The headache’s location often indicates where the blockage is occurring. A forehead headache may signal a stroke in the carotid artery, while pain at the back of the head can point to the vertebrobasilar system. Unlike typical headaches that develop gradually, a stroke-related headache appears suddenly and without warning, helping to differentiate it from other types of headaches.

4: You Are Having Difficulty Speaking

During an ischemic stroke, certain communication problems can arise, such as speaking incoherently, using incorrect or nonexistent words, and struggling to understand what other people are saying. This usually occurs when the left brain, which controls language and speech, is affected. Having a stroke can also impair the necessary coordination needed to form words. These speech difficulties are often accompanied by a general sense of confusion, potentially signaling the onset of a stroke. [4]

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5: You Are Having Difficulty Walking or Balancing

Balance and walking issues are common during an ischemic stroke. This is often due to sudden leg weakness caused by impaired blood flow to the nerves controlling leg movement. A stroke can also affect your balance by disrupting spatial awareness. You may suddenly feel dizzy, appear clumsy, stumble, or even struggle to stand. Those experiencing other stroke symptoms might also experience an abnormal gait if their balance has been affected. 

6: You Feel Dizzy or Experience Vertigo

Vertigo and dizziness are other common signs of an ischemic stroke to look out for. Dizziness causes you to feel unsteady and faint, while vertigo creates a spinning sensation, making it feel like the room is moving. Both can severely affect your balance, thus increasing the risk of falling. These intense symptoms are typically linked to coordination problems during a stroke. If dizziness or vertigo occurs, you should sit down immediately to prevent injury from falling.

7: You Get Double Vision

In addition to the vision loss we already discussed above, double vision is another common symptom of an ischemic stroke. This condition causes you to see two images instead of one, either side by side or on top of each other. Double vision can exacerbate other stroke symptoms like dizziness and loss of balance, which can further complicate your condition. These drastic visual disturbances reveal how severely strokes can affect your balance and coordination when suffering from an ischemic stroke. 

8: You Experience Chest Pain

Chest pain, often linked to heart attacks, can also be experienced during an ischemic stroke, though it’s less common. It’s more frequently reported in women and may be accompanied by heart palpitations. While experiencing chest pain is a possible symptom of a stroke, it’s crucial to consider other signs as well. Nevertheless, if you are experiencing chest pain you should always call for emergency medical help, as it could potentially signal a serious condition.

9: You Feel Nauseous 

Around 22% of people experience nausea within 12 hours of other ischemic stroke symptoms. Typically, women are more affected than men by this symptom. Nausea and the need to vomit often accompany other stroke symptoms. These include intense headaches, vertigo, and dizziness. Nausea is especially common when a stroke causes sudden headaches, dizziness, and vertigo all at once.

10: You Have Shortness of Breath

Shortness of breath can make it feel like you can’t take a full breath, similar to how you feel after climbing stairs or running a marathon. While it’s normal to feel this way after intense exercise, it’s concerning if it suddenly occurs without any major exertion. Although not the most common symptom of an ischemic stroke, it does affect many people, particularly women. Even if the shortness of breath comes and goes, it’s important to seek medical help as soon as possible. 

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