8 warning signs that should never be ignored
These symptoms can occur suddenly with a stroke or TIA:
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Sudden weakness or numbness — particularly in the face, arm, or leg on one side.
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Facial drooping — one side of the face may feel weak or look uneven when smiling.
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Speech problems — slurred speech, difficulty speaking, or difficulty understanding others.
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Sudden vision changes — blurred, double, or lost vision in one or both eyes.
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Sudden dizziness or loss of balance — difficulty walking, coordinating movements, or staying upright.
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Sudden severe headache — especially a severe headache with no known cause.
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Sudden confusion — unexplained difficulty understanding or responding normally.
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Symptoms that disappear after a few minutes — this can be a TIA (“mini-stroke”), and it is not safe to ignore simply because the person feels normal again.
🚨 Think B.E. F.A.S.T.
B — Balance suddenly affected
E — Eyes/vision suddenly affected
F — Face drooping
A — Arm weakness
S — Speech difficulty
T — Time to seek emergency help
If these symptoms are happening right now, seek emergency medical care immediately. Do not wait to see whether they improve.
9 ways to reduce your risk of stroke
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Control high blood pressure. Hypertension is one of the most important modifiable stroke risk factors.
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Don’t smoke or use tobacco. Quitting reduces stroke risk.
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Exercise regularly. WHO recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week for adults.
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Reduce salt/sodium. A lower-sodium diet can help control blood pressure.
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Eat a balanced diet. Emphasize vegetables, fruits, whole grains and fiber while limiting saturated fats, excess sugar and highly salty foods.
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Maintain a healthy weight. Excess weight is associated with increased stroke risk.
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Control diabetes and cholesterol. Regular monitoring and appropriate treatment can reduce vascular risk.
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Limit alcohol. Excessive alcohol consumption can increase blood pressure and stroke risk.
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Manage heart conditions, particularly atrial fibrillation. Some people need prescription treatment to reduce clot-related stroke risk; medication should be chosen with a clinician rather than started independently.
