A sleep stroke, or “wake-up stroke,” occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked or a vessel bursts during sleep. Since symptoms appear only after waking, treatment may be delayed, making these strokes more severe.
Warning signs include numbness or paralysis on one side, slurred speech, confusion, vision problems, balance loss, sudden headache, nausea, or seizures. Remember “FAST”: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call help.
Prevention begins with healthy bedtime habits. Avoid heavy meals, excess salt, alcohol, smoking, stress, and late-night screen use. Instead, aim for 7–9 hours of quality sleep, stay lightly hydrated, take prescribed medications, relax before bed, use CPAP if you have sleep apnea, and take short evening walks.
