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I though I might lend some information after sitting through a long lecture yesterday on strokes for my EMT-B training, I also used my notes and textbook for the class as references. Disclaimer: I am still in training and am not at this time a health care professional and I recommend consulting a doctor for more detailed information and a check up on anyone you may feel is at risk of a stroke.
Be aware that a stroke is usually considered a CVA (Cerebral Vascular Accident) and different from a TIA that is usually referred to as a “mini-stroke”. A TIA is not as severe as a stroke but the person will also be at significant risk of having a full blown stroke.
When you're checking the list posted by Dustin03 such as lifting the arms up (I would suggest have the person close their eyes as they hold out their arms) and smiling what you are checking for is weakness on one side of the body. When checking the smile the smile would be more pronounced on one side of the face, also be sure to check for facial drooping on one side. In the arms one arm may drift downwards without the person even realizing it because one side of the body has been weakened by the stroke. You can also check grip; ask the person to squeeze both your hands and one hand may squeeze firmly and the other weakly. These are the most common signs of a stroke. A less common, but very important to note, sign of a stroke is a severe headache that could be caused by a very serious and dangerous kind of stroke called a hemorrhagic stroke.
For prevention and diagnosing, I would suggest seeing a doctor for that, EMTs can only treat the underlying causes and, with all respect to any doctors who may be on the forum; they aren’t there with the person to do an examination. I can’t say what the doctors will do to test for risk of a stroke because it would be mostly speculation. I hope that I was able to help, and I wish the best for whomever it is that you care for and are worried about.
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