What should you know about hot stroke?

People may use hot stroke to describe a stroke with a hot sensation, headache, or concern after heat exposure. Stroke occurs when part of the brain loses its blood supply or bleeding affects brain tissue. Symptoms can include one-sided weakness or numbness, facial drooping, trouble speaking, sudden vision change, loss of balance, or severe headache. Hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and type 2 diabetes are conditions that can raise stroke risk; a symptom does not prove its cause.

If symptoms started suddenly, call emergency services and state that stroke is suspected. Note the time the person was last known well, keep them safe and still, and do not give food, drink, or medicine unless advised. Do not drive the person yourself if an ambulance is available. Even if symptoms improve, urgent assessment is needed because a transient ischaemic attack can precede a stroke.

Seek emergency help for any sudden facial droop, arm or leg weakness, new numbness, speech or understanding difficulty, severe dizziness, collapse, seizure, sudden vision loss, or unusual severe headache. Do not wait for pain or fever to appear. A person who is difficult to wake or has trouble breathing also needs immediate help.

What tests will identify the type and location of a stroke? Which risk factors should be addressed? When should blood-pressure treatment begin or change, and what rehabilitation or follow-up is needed?