A sudden severe headache with no clear cause can be another warning sign, especially if it appears with vomiting, dizziness, vision changes, weakness, confusion, or trouble speaking.
Not every headache is a stroke symptom. But a headache that is sudden, unusual, intense, or different from normal should not be ignored in an older adult.
The CDC includes sudden severe headache with no known cause among possible stroke symptoms.
Remember FAST
FAST is a simple way to remember the most common stroke warning signs:
F — Face: Is one side of the face drooping?
A — Arms: Can the person raise both arms?
S — Speech: Is speech slurred, strange, or hard to understand?
T — Time: Call emergency services immediately.
Some organizations also use B.E. FAST, adding:
