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5 Stroke Symptoms That Don’t Look Like a Stroke

December 22, 2025

Most people picture a stroke as sudden and obvious — a fall, slurred speech, a drooping face. But that’s not always how it starts. Some strokes come on quietly, with signs that are easy to brush off or blame on something else.

“People expect a stroke to always look dramatic,” says Kelly Matmati, MD, vascular neurologist with Hartford HealthCare’s Ayer Neuroscience Institute. “But many strokes start quietly, with subtle symptoms that can be mistaken for something else entirely.”

The problem? Delaying care — even by minutes — can make a huge difference in recovery.

Here are five stroke symptoms that might not look like a stroke.

1. Feeling dizzy or off balance

Lightheadedness, unsteady walking or a spinning sensation might not raise alarms — especially if you think you just got up too fast or missed a meal. But when dizziness appears out of nowhere, it can point to a stroke in the back of the brain.

“People often think they’re just dehydrated or tired,” says Dr. Matmati. “But new or unexplained dizziness is never something to brush off.”

If your balance suddenly feels off or you can’t walk straight, it’s safer to get checked right away.

> Related: 7 Ways to Reduce Your Stroke Risk

2. Blurry or double vision

Changes in vision can be one of the trickiest stroke symptoms to recognize.

“A stroke affecting the vision centers of the brain can cause loss of sight in one eye, double vision, or inability to see one half of the world,” explains Dr. Matmati. “Because it’s painless, people often assume it’s minor or temporary.”

If your vision changes suddenly without warning, it’s important to get medical attention immediately — even if you think it’s just eye strain.

> Related: What’s Making You Dizzy? If You’re Older, There Could Be Lots of Reasons

3. Confusion or trouble communicating

If someone suddenly seems disoriented — struggling to find words, understand a conversation, or remember familiar things — it could be more than fatigue or stress.

“Many people assume their loved one is just having a senior moment,” says Dr. Matmati. “But sudden confusion, particularly if their speech is not making sense, even without weakness or facial drooping, can be a warning sign.”

A quick call to 911 can make all the difference when it comes to preventing long-term brain damage.

4. An intense, unfamiliar headache

Everyone gets headaches now and then — but one that comes on abruptly and feels more severe than usual can be a red flag.

“I often hear these described as the worst headache my patients have ever had,” says Dr. Matmati. “It can be a sign of bleeding in the brain, also known as hemorrhagic stroke.”

If a headache strikes hard and fast, especially with nausea, vomiting or vision changes, don’t wait to see if it passes. Seek emergency care.

> Related: 3 Common Types of Headaches You Might Have

5. Weakness or numbness that comes and goes

A heavy arm, a weak grip or a tingling sensation in the face or limbs might not last long — but that doesn’t mean it’s harmless.

“You might think your arm just felt funny for a few minutes, and then move on,”  says Dr. Matmati. “But even brief numbness or weakness can be a transient ischemic attack, or TIA — often called a ‘mini-stroke.’”

TIAs are warning shots, and getting evaluated quickly can help prevent a much more serious stroke down the road.

> Related: 3 Surprising Signs of a Stroke You Should Know

Here‘s when it’s time to seek help – quickly.

No matter how mild the symptoms seem, acting quickly can save brain function and even save a life.

“If something feels off — your speech, your balance, your vision — it’s better to get checked and be safe,” says Dr. Matmati. “We can do much more for stroke patients when they arrive early.”

Remember the acronym BEFAST:

• Balance: sudden loss of balance or severe dizziness
• Eyes: sudden vision loss
• Face drooping
• Arm weakness
• Speech difficulty
• Time to call 911

Even if your symptoms don’t fit the classic signs, don’t ignore them. Getting care within the first few hours can mean the difference between full recovery and lifelong disability.