5 Symptoms of a “Mini-Stroke” in Seniors That Shouldn’t Be Ignored
A “mini-stroke” is usually called a transient ischemic attack (TIA). It occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is temporarily interrupted. The symptoms can disappear within minutes, but a TIA is a warning stroke and a medical emergency—not something to simply watch at home. (www.stroke.org)
🚨 5 warning symptoms
- Sudden weakness or numbness
Especially affecting one side of the face, arm, or leg. - Sudden trouble speaking
Speech may become slurred, confused, or difficult to understand. A person may also suddenly have trouble understanding others. - Sudden vision changes
Blurred or lost vision in one or both eyes, or sudden double vision. - Sudden dizziness or loss of balance
New difficulty walking, coordination problems, or severe dizziness can be stroke symptoms. - Sudden severe headache
A very unusual or severe headache with no obvious cause can be a warning sign, particularly when accompanied by other neurological symptoms. (www.stroke.org)
Remember B.E. F.A.S.T.
B — Balance problems
E — Eye/vision changes
F — Face drooping
A — Arm weakness
S — Speech difficulty
T — Time to call emergency services (www.stroke.org)
Most important: Don’t wait for symptoms to disappear. A TIA can precede a major stroke, and early medical assessment can help identify and reduce the risk of a subsequent stroke. (www.stroke.org)
If these symptoms are happening right now, call your local emergency service immediately and note the time the symptoms began.
