Headache and seizures can occur within seconds of the blockage. When thrombosis, a blood clot that has formed in a narrowed artery, causes the stroke, the onset usually occurs more gradually, over minutes to hours. On rare occasions it progresses over days to weeks. Early symptoms can be identical to those of a transient ischemic attack, since, in both cases, the clot can produce a blockage in a branch of the carotid or basilar arteries. The blood clot usually affects the opposite side of the body from its location in the brain, with possible loss of feeling on one side of the face, in an arm or leg, or blindness in one eye.
Speech problems can occur if the left hemisphere of the brain is involved.
The stroke victim may be unable to express thoughts verbally or to understand spoken words. They may experience major seizures and possibly coma. Symptoms of Hemorrhagic Stroke Cerebral Hemorrhage Symptoms. Nausea and vomiting. Altered mental states.