Signs That Might Save a Life From Stroke

31. Sudden Change in Pupils

The pupils of your eyes are a window into your brain, and a sudden change in their appearance can be a subtle but critical sign of a stroke. A stroke can disrupt the nerve pathways that control pupil size, leading to anisocoria, a condition where one pupil becomes noticeably larger or smaller than the other. This visual sign is often overlooked because it's painless and doesn't affect vision immediately. If you notice a sudden difference in pupil size, it could be a sign that a stroke is affecting the brainstem, and it warrants an immediate call for medical help.

30. Sudden Change in Sense of Smell or Taste

A stroke can present with a very confusing symptom: a sudden change in your sense of smell or taste. The brain is responsible for processing these senses, and a disruption in blood flow to these areas can cause a sudden loss or alteration of these abilities. For example, a person might suddenly find that their favorite food tastes like nothing at all, or that a familiar scent, like coffee, has a strange or unpleasant odor. This is a direct sign that the parts of the brain responsible for these senses have been affected, and it's a critical neurological symptom that requires immediate attention.