A mini stroke (also called a transient ischemic attack, or TIA) happens when blood flow to part of the brain is briefly interrupted. Symptoms may disappear within minutes or hours, but a TIA can be a warning sign of a possible major stroke, so it should be taken seriously.
5 symptoms that should not be ignored
- Sudden weakness or numbness
- Especially on one side of the face, arm, or leg.
- Sudden trouble speaking or understanding speech
- Slurred speech, difficulty finding words, or confusion.
- Sudden vision changes
- Loss of vision, blurred vision, or double vision in one or both eyes.
- Sudden dizziness, loss of balance, or coordination problems
- Trouble walking, unexplained falls, or severe unsteadiness.
- Sudden severe headache
- Especially if it is unusual, comes on quickly, or occurs with other neurological symptoms.
Remember the FAST warning signs:
- F — Face: Is one side of the face drooping?
- A — Arms: Can both arms be raised normally?
- S — Speech: Is speech clear?
- T — Time: Seek emergency help immediately if these signs appear.
Even if symptoms go away, medical evaluation is important because treatments can reduce the risk of a future stroke.
Risk factors that increase concern include high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol, irregular heartbeat (such as atrial fibrillation), and previous stroke or TIA.
If someone is experiencing these symptoms right now, it’s safest to seek emergency medical care rather than waiting to see if they improve.
