The idea that “your body warns you a month before a stroke” is misleading. Some people do experience warning signs before a stroke, especially with a transient ischemic attack (TIA)—sometimes called a “mini-stroke”—but many strokes happen suddenly without a long warning period.
A TIA can cause temporary stroke-like symptoms that may last minutes to hours and should be treated as a medical emergency, because it can be a warning that a major stroke may follow.
Possible warning signs that should not be ignored
- Sudden weakness or numbness
- Especially on one side of the face, arm, or leg.
- Face drooping
- One side of the face may feel weak or look uneven.
- Speech problems
- Slurred speech, difficulty finding words, or trouble understanding others.
- Sudden vision changes
- Blurred vision, loss of vision, or double vision.
- Sudden dizziness or loss of balance
- Trouble walking, coordination problems, or unexplained falls.
- A sudden severe headache
- Especially a “worst headache ever” or one that is unusual for you.
- Confusion or difficulty thinking clearly
- Sudden changes in awareness or understanding.
- Temporary episodes of these symptoms
- Symptoms that come and go can still be serious and may indicate a TIA.
- New trouble swallowing
- Difficulty moving food or liquids normally.
- Sudden weakness or unusual fatigue
- Especially when combined with other neurological symptoms.
Remember FAST
- F — Face: Is one side of the face drooping?
- A — Arms: Can the person raise both arms?
- S — Speech: Is speech strange or unclear?
- T — Time: Call emergency services immediately if these signs appear.
Other factors that increase stroke risk include high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol, atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat), and a history of stroke or TIA.
If someone is having stroke symptoms right now, do not wait to see if they improve—seek emergency medical help immediately.
