Which is a symptom of stroke?

• A. Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm and leg, usually on one side.
• B. Gradual blurred vision over weeks.
• C. Chronic headaches.
• D. Nosebleeds

Answer: (A)

Strokes cause sudden, focal neurologic deficits due to interrupted blood flow to brain tissue. The most telling symptom is abrupt weakness or numbness of the face, arm, and leg on one side, reflecting sudden disruption of motor pathways on that side of the brain. This abrupt onset helps distinguish stroke from conditions that develop gradually.

Gradual blurred vision over weeks points to chronic eye or retinal issues rather than an acute brain event. Chronic headaches can be migraines or tension-type headaches, which don’t typically produce a sudden one-sided weakness. Nosebleeds are not a symptom of brain stroke and don’t indicate an acute cerebrovascular event. If someone suddenly experiences these stroke-like signs, it’s an emergency requiring immediate evaluation.