A mini stroke, also called a transient ischemic attack (TIA), happens when blood flow to part of the brain is briefly interrupted. Symptoms usually resolve within minutes to hours, but a TIA is a medical emergency because it can be a warning sign that a full stroke may occur soon.
Five important symptoms that should never be ignored include:
- Sudden weakness or numbness
- Especially on one side of the face, arm, or leg.
- Trouble speaking or understanding speech
- Slurred speech, difficulty finding words, or confusion.
- Sudden vision changes
- Blurred vision, double vision, or loss of vision in one or both eyes.
- Loss of balance or coordination
- Difficulty walking, dizziness, or unexplained falls.
- Sudden severe headache
- Particularly if it is unusual for the person and occurs with other neurological symptoms.
Act FAST
A helpful way to recognize a possible stroke or TIA is the FAST acronym:
- F – Face: Does one side of the face droop?
- A – Arms: Is one arm weak or drifting downward?
- S – Speech: Is speech slurred or difficult?
- T – Time: Call your local emergency services immediately.
Even if the symptoms disappear within a few minutes, do not wait to see if they come back. Prompt medical evaluation can identify the cause and reduce the risk of a future stroke.
Risk factors include high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, irregular heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation, and previous stroke or TIA. Managing these conditions can significantly reduce stroke risk.
