Signs & Symptoms

Did you know that having trouble speaking or understanding can be signs of a stroke?

Sudden, severe headache, numbness or blurred vision are also early warning signs, and being able to recognize them immediately could save your life.

That's why Riverside has formed the Riverside Stroke Center. This program, developed by leading community hospitals and their affiliated physician nationwide, will help clear up some of the confusion about strokes in our community.

Few Americans know the symptoms of stroke. Learning them - and acting FAST when they occur – could save your life or the life of a loved one.

Common stroke symptoms include:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg – especially on one side of the body
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause

This simple test will help you detect stroke symptoms and Act F.A.S.T.

• F = FACE 
  Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
• A = ARM 
  Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
• S = SPEECH 
  Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Does the speech sound slurred or strange?
• T = TIME 
  If you observe any of these signs, it's time to call 9-1-1 or get to the nearest stroke center or hospital.