There may be some warning signs in the hours or days leading up to an ischemic stroke. However, most stroke symptoms appear to start suddenly and can include: Severe headache with unknown reason Numbness or weakness of the face, legs, and arms, often occurring on one side Confusion, difficulty understanding speech, and trouble speaking Vision problems in one or both eyes Difficulty walking Dizziness and loss of balance Less common stroke symptoms may include: Sudden nausea or vomiting for an unknown reason Fainting, seizures, or coma