What are the early symptoms of stroke?

Generally, early symptoms of stroke may include mild headache, transient visual disturbances, limb numbness or weakness, slurred speech, and sudden dizziness.

1. Mild Headache: Early cerebral vascular spasm or microembolism in small vessels may cause patients to experience mild head pain. This pain often feels similar to tension-type headache, typically presenting as a dull ache or slight pressure sensation.

2. Transient Visual Disturbances: Transient insufficient blood supply to the ocular vessels or the visual center in the brain may interfere with the transmission and processing of visual signals, leading to temporary blurred vision or visual field defects.

3. Limb Numbness or Weakness: Vascular lesions in the brain may impair nerve function, affecting sensory and motor functions of the limbs. Patients may experience numbness in multiple areas, often involving one side of the face and extremities.

4. Slurred Speech: Brain vascular lesions may temporarily disrupt neural cell function, impairing language expression and organization. Patients may suddenly develop slurred speech, difficulty articulating words, or a "thick-tongued" sensation.

5. Sudden Dizziness: When cerebral vessels become blocked or ruptured, resulting in cerebral hypoperfusion or hemorrhage, balance and coordination functions may be affected. Patients may suddenly feel dizzy, experience vertigo, perceive surrounding objects as spinning, or feel unstable while standing.

If stroke-related symptoms occur, immediate medical attention is recommended to facilitate early detection and treatment, thereby reducing the risk of disease progression. The patient should remain calm and unnecessary movement should be avoided during transportation to prevent worsening of the condition.