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Warning-sign checks

Stroke: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Seek emergency care for any new or returning stroke symptoms, even if they improve within minutes.

    People taking replacement corticosteroids should receive clear instructions from their care team about illness, missed medicine, emergency identification, and when urgent treatment is needed.

    These plans are individualized.

    These concerns generally need timely medical review but are not always emergencies.

    Sudden vision change, severe headache, fainting, confusion, seizure, new weakness, or difficulty speaking requires emergency assessment.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Temporary symptoms can represent a TIA and should not wait for a routine appointment.

    Contact a clinician promptly for increasing thirst and urination, persistent fatigue, dizziness, unexplained nausea, menstrual changes, sexual-function changes, or symptoms of low thyroid function.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    After a stroke, follow-up may include a primary care clinician, neurologist, rehabilitation team, and other specialists.

    The care plan may address blood pressure, heart rhythm, cholesterol, diabetes, physical activity, smoking, sleep, mood, and medicines intended to prevent another stroke.

    After pituitary apoplexy, follow-up usually includes endocrinology review, repeat hormone testing, and pituitary imaging.

    Formal visual-field testing may be needed if vision was affected.

    Hormone levels can change during recovery, so treatment may need adjustment by the clinical team.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Stroke. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.