A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted—either by a clot that blocks a vessel (ischemic stroke) or by a burst or leaking blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke). When the event happens during sleep, doctors call it a wake-up stroke.
Because symptoms don’t appear until you wake up, treatment is often delayed. This is why nighttime prevention is so important.
How Do You Know If You Had a Stroke in Your Sleep?
- Numbness or paralysis on one side of the body (arm, leg, or face)
- Slurred speech or difficulty forming words
- Trouble understanding what others are saying
- Confusion or sudden disorientation
- Blurred, blackened, or double vision
- Sudden trouble walking or loss of balance
- A severe, unexplained headache
- Nausea, vomiting, or dizziness
- Seizures or loss of consciousness
Doctors also recommend remembering the FAST test:
- F – Face drooping
- A – Arm weakness
- S – Speech difficulty
- T – Time to call emergency services immediately
Even if symptoms appear mild, don’t ignore them—early treatment saves lives and prevents long-term disability.
Why Nighttime Habits Matter
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