Pupils of unequal size may indicate which of the following?

The presence of pupils of unequal size, a condition known as anisocoria, can be an indicator of several medical issues, but it is most commonly associated with a stroke. In the context of a stroke, changes in pupil size can result from damage to areas of the brain that control pupillary response. This can happen due to the disruption of blood flow to those areas, causing one pupil to dilate while the other remains constricted.

While heart attacks, choking, and cardiac arrests have their respective symptoms, they do not typically manifest in changes to pupil size. For instance, heart attack symptoms generally revolve around chest pain, sweating, and shortness of breath, while choking often presents as inability to speak or cough. Cardiac arrest primarily results in loss of consciousness and unresponsiveness, without specific changes to pupil size. Therefore, the association of unequal pupil size with the possibility of a stroke is significant and critical for recognizing potential medical emergencies.