A mini-stroke (also called a transient ischemic attack, or TIA) happens when blood flow to part of the brain is briefly interrupted. Symptoms may last only minutes or hours and then disappear, but a TIA can be a warning sign of a possible major stroke and needs medical attention.
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 changes
- Blurred vision, loss of vision in one eye, or double vision.
- Sudden dizziness or loss of balance
- Trouble walking, coordination problems, or feeling unusually unsteady.
- Sudden severe headache or unusual neurological symptoms
- A sudden, intense headache (especially if different from usual), or sudden changes in alertness or behavior.
A simple way to remember stroke warning signs is FAST:
- F — Face: Is one side of the face drooping?
- A — Arms: Is one arm weak or numb?
- S — Speech: Is speech strange or difficult?
- T — Time: Call emergency services immediately if these occur.
Even if symptoms go away, a person should still be evaluated urgently because treatment and prevention can reduce the risk of a future stroke.
