5 Symptoms of a Mini-Stroke (TIA) in Seniors That Shouldn’t Be Ignored
A mini-stroke, also called a transient ischemic attack (TIA), happens when blood flow to part of the brain is briefly blocked. Symptoms may disappear within minutes or hours, but a TIA can be a warning sign of a possible major stroke and needs urgent medical attention.
5 Warning Signs
- Sudden weakness or numbness
- Especially on one side of the face, arm, or leg.
- Sudden trouble speaking or understanding speech
- Slurred words, 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 unexplained falls.
- Sudden severe headache or unusual neurological symptoms
- Especially if it is different from previous headaches or occurs with other stroke signs.
Remember the FAST warning signs:
- F — Face: Does one side of the face droop?
- 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 disappear, a person should still be evaluated by a medical professional. Early treatment after a TIA can help reduce the risk of a future stroke.
Risk factors that increase stroke risk include high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol, irregular heart rhythms (such as atrial fibrillation), and previous stroke or TIA history.
