5 Subtle Signs of a Stroke

Your brain needs a steady supply of oxygen and nutrients to function at its best. When the blood supply gets cut off in one part of your brain, doctors call that a stroke. A sudden shortage of what the brain needs can cause obvious symptoms, such as sudden paralysis or a droop on one side of the face.

But a stroke can also cause subtler signs. Knowing what to watch for can be literally life-saving. 

David Bolon, MD, and our team at Manhattan Integrative Cardiovascular want to help people get the information they need here. Today, we’re highlighting the signs of a stroke that can be easier to miss.

If you’re worried about a stroke, you can also come see Dr. Bolon for a cardiac screening at our Midtown East office in Manhattan, New York City. 

#1: Smaller signs of paralysis

Sometimes, a stroke causes hard-to-miss paralysis on one side of the body. If the face starts drooping or you can’t lift one arm, it’s clear you have a problem.

Other times, the signs of paralysis aren’t quite so obvious. Even numbness or tingling in one arm could be an indicator that blood isn’t flowing through your brain properly. 

#2: Dizziness

A loss of coordination is another well-known stroke symptom. Sometimes, though, the stroke doesn’t fully rob the person of their ability to walk. It can present as simple dizziness. 

#3: Headache

When people think about the signs of a stroke, they often focus on how it affects externally visible parts of the body, like the face or arms. But since the issue stems from a problem in your brain, it’s not surprising that you can have localized pain there, too. 

If you get a sudden, severe headache, it could be a sign that something’s going on inside your head. 

#4: Weakness

This ties back to the paralysis issue and the fact that affected body parts might not be completely immobilized. If you notice that you suddenly feel weaker on one side of your body, it could be stroke-related. 

The weakness might also feel like it affects your whole body. Women are more likely to experience generalized weakness and fatigue with a stroke. 

#5: Vision changes in one eye

When a stroke affects the part of your brain responsible for vision, it can cause vision loss. This might not present as total blindness in one or both eyes, though. You might notice that only part of your field of vision looks obscured in one eye, or that things look blurrier than before. 

What to do if you notice these signs

If you only notice one of these symptoms, such as a headache or tingling, keep an eye on the situation. But if you have several of these signs — and particularly if they’re paired with the more obvious signs of a stroke — seek emergency medical care.

If it is a stroke, Dr. Bolon can care for you throughout your recovery. He regularly helps people navigate life after a stroke.  

To make an appointment, call our office at (716) 303-4738 or book your visit online today.