5 Signs of a “Mini-Stroke” in Older Adults
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is commonly called a “mini-stroke.” Its symptoms may disappear quickly, but it can be a warning of a major stroke and should be treated as a medical emergency.
5 warning signs
- Sudden facial drooping or numbness — One side of the face may droop, particularly when smiling.
- Sudden arm or leg weakness — Especially weakness or numbness affecting one side of the body.
- Sudden speech difficulties — Slurred speech, difficulty finding words, or trouble understanding others.
- Sudden vision problems — Loss of vision, blurring, or double vision in one or both eyes.
- Sudden dizziness or loss of balance — Unexpected difficulty walking, coordination problems, or severe dizziness.
🚨 Think BE FAST
B — Balance problems
E — Eyes/vision changes
F — Face drooping
A — Arm weakness
S — Speech difficulty
T — Time to call emergency services
Don’t wait for symptoms to go away. Even if the person returns to normal within minutes, urgent medical evaluation is needed. A TIA can be followed by a serious stroke.
If these symptoms are happening right now, seek emergency medical care immediately.
