A mini stroke is commonly called a transient ischemic attack (TIA). It happens when blood flow to part of the brain is briefly blocked. The symptoms can disappear within minutes or hours, but a TIA is a warning sign that a major stroke may happen later, so it should be treated as a medical emergency.
5 common signs of a mini stroke in older adults:
- Sudden weakness or numbness
- Especially on one side of the face, arm, or leg.
- Sudden trouble speaking or understanding
- Slurred speech, difficulty finding words, or confusion.
- Sudden vision problems
- Blurred vision, loss of vision in one eye, or double vision.
- Sudden dizziness or loss of balance
- Trouble walking, poor coordination, or feeling unusually unsteady.
- Sudden severe headache
- Especially a headache that is unusual or comes on quickly.
Remember FAST:
- F — Face: Does one side of the face droop?
- A — Arm: Is one arm weak or numb?
- S — Speech: Is speech unclear or strange?
- T — Time: Call emergency services immediately.
Even if the symptoms go away, a person should still be evaluated by a healthcare professional as soon as possible. Early treatment after a TIA can reduce the risk of a serious stroke.
