Reveals the surprising symptom that turned out to be a stroke

A worried friend followed her to the hospital, but doctors rejected her symptoms and sent her home with a diagnosis of anxiety. It had to take almost a year before she got a correct assessment.

In the months that followed, Leah struggled with concentration, memory loss and difficulty reading or understanding content on TV. The doctors still believed that the symptoms could be due to her healing process after surgery.

It was only when her migrainer-whom she had suffered for years-deteriorated markedly that her doctor was referring to her for an MRI scan. In April 2024, she finally received an answer: She had had a stroke in May 2023.

« I was both crushed and relieved, » says Leah.

« Crushed that it had gone unnoticed for so long, but relieved to finally have an explanation. »

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted by a blood clot or a ruptured blood vessel. According to Cleveland Clinic, strokes are the second most common cause of death worldwide and can cause serious neurological injuries.

Typical symptoms suddenly include weakness of the face or body, speech difficulties, confusion, visual disturbances, dizziness and nausea. However, the symptoms may vary – especially in women.

Dr. Kishan Patel tells to Todaythat vision loss like what Leah experienced can make the diagnosis more difficult as it often appears in more subtle and nonspecific ways.

« If you can’t see a word, you can’t work it properly – it affects your ability to read and understand, » he explains.

« It’s an unusual but important symptom. »

He also points out that women often experience more atypical symptoms, which can further delay the diagnosis.