Heart Disease Health Center

Stroke Risk Higher After Heart Attack

Seek Immediate Care for Stroke

Stroke is the No. 3 cause of death and the most common cause of disability among U.S. adults, the researchers write.

Getting immediate medical help at the first sign of a possible heart attack or stroke is a must. Some stroke medications must be given within a few hours of the onset of symptoms.

Stroke symptoms may include:

• Sudden weakness or numbness in the face, arm, or leg on one side of the body.
• Abrupt loss of vision, strength, coordination, sensation, speech, or the ability to understand speech. These symptoms may become more marked over time.
• Sudden dimness of vision, especially in one eye.
• Sudden loss of balance, possibly accompanied by vomiting, nausea, fever, hiccups, or trouble with swallowing.
• Sudden and severe headache with no other cause followed rapidly by loss of consciousness -- indications of a stroke due to bleeding.
• Brief loss of consciousness.
• Unexplained dizziness or sudden falls.