Signs That Might Save a Life From Stroke

27. Sudden Inability to Tell Temperature

A very subtle but telling sign of a stroke is a sudden loss of the ability to feel temperature on one side of the body. This is a specific sensory deficit where the person can still feel touch, but they cannot tell if something is hot or cold. For instance, holding a mug of hot coffee might feel like holding something room temperature. This symptom, often ignored as a strange sensation, is a clear signal that the brain's parietal lobe—the area responsible for processing sensory information—is under duress and requires immediate medical attention.

28. Sudden, Unexplained Shortness of Breath

A stroke can present with a very confusing symptom: sudden and severe shortness of breath. While this is commonly associated with a heart attack or lung problems, it can also be a sign of a stroke, especially one that affects the brainstem. The brainstem controls vital functions like breathing, and a disruption in its blood supply can lead to an abrupt feeling of air hunger or an inability to take a full breath. This symptom is a direct sign that a critical area of the brain has been affected, and it warrants an immediate call for help.