The headline “8 Warning Signs of Stroke That May Appear One Month Before” is misleading. Most strokes happen suddenly, and there is no reliable set of symptoms that consistently appears a month in advance. However, some people experience a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA, often called a “mini-stroke”), which can occur hours, days, or occasionally weeks before a stroke. A TIA is a medical emergency because it can be a warning sign of an impending stroke.
Possible Warning Signs (Stroke or TIA)
Seek emergency medical care immediately if you or someone else experiences any of these symptoms, even if they go away:
- Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden trouble speaking or understanding speech
- Sudden vision loss or blurred vision in one or both eyes
- Sudden dizziness, loss of balance, or difficulty walking
- A sudden, severe headache with no known cause
- Sudden confusion
- Sudden difficulty swallowing
- Sudden facial drooping
Remember the acronym FAST:
- Face drooping
- Arm weakness
- Speech difficulty
- Time to call emergency services immediately
9 Ways to Reduce Stroke Risk
- Keep your blood pressure under control.
- Manage diabetes if you have it.
- Treat high cholesterol if recommended.
- Don’t smoke, and avoid secondhand smoke.
- Exercise regularly.
- Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Limit alcohol and avoid illicit drugs.
- Take prescribed medications as directed, especially for conditions such as high blood pressure or Atrial Fibrillation.
The most important thing to know is that stroke symptoms require immediate medical attention. Even if symptoms disappear after a few minutes, don’t wait to see if they return—a TIA can be an important warning sign and should be evaluated right away.
