Use this as a reading checklist beside the full topic pages — not as medical clearance.
Educational summary only.
Red flags
- New sudden weakness, facial drooping, or speech difficultyThese are classic warning signs of a new or recurrent stroke (often remembered by the FAST acronym) and require immediate emergency medical attention.
- Sudden severe headacheA new, unusually severe headache can indicate a hemorrhagic event and warrants urgent evaluation, particularly in someone with stroke risk factors.
- New difficulty swallowingNew or worsening difficulty swallowing raises concern for aspiration risk and typically prompts a swallowing evaluation before continuing oral intake as usual.
- Signs of blood clot in the legSwelling, warmth, and pain in one leg during recovery, particularly with reduced mobility, raises concern for deep vein thrombosis and requires prompt medical evaluation.
When to stop
- New neurological symptomsAny new weakness, speech difficulty, facial drooping, or severe headache during rehabilitation warrants immediately stopping activity and seeking emergency care.
- Fall or near-fall during practiceAny fall or near-fall during a rehabilitation session should prompt a pause and reassessment of the task's difficulty and required supervision level.
- Chest pain or irregular heartbeatCardiovascular symptoms during exercise should prompt immediately stopping the activity and seeking medical attention.
- Significant increase in spasticity or painA sudden, significant increase in muscle stiffness or pain during a session should be reported to the rehabilitation team for reassessment.
Return checkpoints
- Improved standardized motor and functional scoresMeaningful improvement on tools such as the Fugl-Meyer Assessment or Functional Independence Measure indicates measurable recovery progress.
- Safe, adequately supervised mobilityWalking and transfers should be performed safely at the appropriate level of assistance before advancing to less supervised activity.
- Adequate balance and fall-risk managementBalance testing and fall history should support readiness for increased independence in daily activities.
- Stable secondary prevention planBlood pressure, relevant medical conditions, and prescribed medications should be well managed to reduce the risk of a recurrent event.