What is a stroke?

If you have any of the following symptoms of a stroke, seek medical help immediately: sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg on one side of the body; sudden loss or blurring of vision; loss of speech or difficulty understanding others' speech; difficulty with balance; and/or dizziness. Sometimes stroke symptoms "come and go," usually lasting less than an hour. These types of episodes are known as transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). But you should not wait to see if stroke symptoms subside before getting medical help. In treating stroke successfully, getting help fast is a critical factor.