A Month Before a Stroke, Your Body May Warn You: 10 Signs Not to Ignore
A stroke can sometimes happen suddenly, but some people experience warning signs days or weeks beforehand. These symptoms may be linked to a transient ischemic attack (TIA)—often called a “mini-stroke”—which is a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain and can be a warning of a future stroke.
A TIA is a medical emergency. Even if symptoms disappear, it should be evaluated quickly.
10 Possible Warning Signs
1. Sudden weakness or numbness
- Weakness, tingling, or loss of feeling in the face, arm, or leg
- Especially if it affects one side of the body
2. Facial drooping
- One side of the face may feel weak or appear uneven.
- A smile may look different.
3. Trouble speaking or understanding words
- Slurred speech
- Difficulty finding words
- Confusion during conversation
4. Sudden vision changes
- Blurred vision
- Loss of vision in one or both eyes
- Seeing double
5. Unexplained dizziness or loss of balance
- Trouble walking
- Feeling unusually unsteady
- Loss of coordination
6. A sudden, severe headache
- A “worst headache ever” or a headache that appears suddenly may require urgent attention, especially with other symptoms.
7. Temporary episodes of confusion
- Sudden difficulty thinking clearly or understanding what is happening.
8. Trouble swallowing
- Difficulty moving food or liquids normally can sometimes be a neurological warning sign.
9. Unusual fatigue or weakness
- Persistent, unexplained weakness may need evaluation, especially with other risk factors.
10. Repeated short episodes of neurological symptoms
- Symptoms that appear briefly and then disappear can still be serious.
Remember the FAST Stroke Warning Signs
F — Face: Ask the person to smile. Is one side drooping?
A — Arms: Ask them to raise both arms. Does one drift down?
S — Speech: Is speech strange or unclear?
T — Time: Call emergency services immediately.
Do not wait to see if symptoms improve
