5 Symptoms of a Mini Stroke in Seniors That Shouldn’t Be Ignored

5 Symptoms of a Mini Stroke in Seniors That Shouldn’t Be Ignored

A mini-stroke, or transient ischemic attack (TIA), is a warning stroke caused by a temporary interruption of blood flow to the brain. Its symptoms can disappear quickly, but that does not make it harmless. A TIA requires urgent medical assessment because it can precede a major stroke. (American Stroke Association)

🚨 5 important symptoms

1. Sudden weakness or numbness
   Particularly in the face, arm, or leg—especially on one side of the body.
2. Sudden trouble speaking
   Speech may become slurred, confused, or difficult to understand. The person may also suddenly have trouble understanding others.
3. Sudden vision changes 👁️
   This can include blurred or double vision or sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes.
4. Sudden dizziness or loss of balance
   A person may suddenly have difficulty walking, coordinating movements, or staying upright.
5. Sudden severe headache
   A severe headache that appears suddenly without an obvious cause can be a stroke warning sign. (American Stroke Association)

Remember B.E. F.A.S.T.

B — Balance loss
E — Eye/vision changes
F — Face drooping
A — Arm weakness
S — Speech difficulty
T — Time to call emergency services

If these symptoms occur even if they disappear after a few minutes, don’t wait to see whether they return. A TIA and a stroke can look the same initially, and only medical assessment can distinguish them. (nhs.uk)

If someone is experiencing these symptoms now, call your local emergency service immediately and note the time the symptoms began.