A stroke can often sneak up on the elderly, with patients possibly having Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs), which are very small strokes, or having no signs of an impending stroke at all. TIAs may not be noticed, depending on how severe they are. A patient may just not feel very well. Some signs of a stroke may be ignored because they mimic typical problems in elderly people. It's important not only for a patient to know the signs of a stroke, but also for anyone who helps him, because the more they know, the quicker they can stop the effects of a stroke.
Paralysis
A stroke usually affects either the left or right side of the body. It can cause the legs, arms or face to go numb. Tingling may be one of the first warning signs. With a stroke, these physical symptoms come on very quickly, whereas with aging, they don't.
Psychological Effects
A patient may become very agitated and bewildered, not knowing what is going on. She may lose the ability to remember things, such as where she is or who she's with. She may black out or go unconscious. She may have problems with speech, being unable to talk at all or slurring her words in an effort to get them out. She may also lose the ability to understand anything that's said or written.
Visual Signs
A patient's vision may become obscured and cloudy. He may only be able to see out of one eye. He may not have any side, or peripheral, vision.
Clumsiness
Since a patient may become paralyzed on one side, he may not be able to walk. If the stroke has not taken away his ability to walk, he may become very clumsy, stumbling over his own feet, which can stem in part from the fact that he's lightheaded. It may take much effort just to be able to stand.
Physical Illness
A patient may get very sick to his stomach or have what seems like a migraine headache.
Major Stroke Signs
If a patient has a major stroke, he may lose consciousness altogether and fall. He may have very deep breathing that is forced and heavy. He may have cheek movement with the breathing, but only on the side that the stroke affected. His eyes may roll in that direction also. His blood pressure reading may be high at first. He may go into a coma if medical help is not sought immediately.
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