5 Signs of a “Mini-Stroke” in Older Adults
A mini-stroke, medically called a transient ischemic attack (TIA), is a temporary interruption of blood flow to part of the brain. Its symptoms can disappear after minutes or hours, but a TIA is still a medical emergency and an important warning sign of a possible future stroke.
1. Sudden weakness or numbness
One side of the face, arm, or leg may suddenly become weak or numb. A person may suddenly have difficulty lifting one arm or walking normally.
2. Facial drooping
Ask the person to smile. One side of the mouth or face may droop, or they may be unable to smile normally.
3. Sudden speech problems
Speech may suddenly become slurred, garbled, or difficult to produce. The person may also have trouble understanding what others are saying.
4. Sudden vision changes
A TIA can cause sudden blurred or double vision or loss of vision, sometimes affecting one eye.
5. Sudden dizziness or loss of balance
Someone may suddenly become very dizzy, unsteady, or unable to coordinate their movements. A sudden severe headache can also occur with stroke-like events.
🚨 Don’t wait for the symptoms to disappear
The biggest misconception about a TIA is that it’s safe because the symptoms go away. You cannot reliably tell at home whether the event is a TIA or a full stroke. If any of these symptoms occur suddenly, seek emergency medical care immediately—even if the person feels completely normal a few minutes later.
Remember B.E. F.A.S.T.:
- B — Balance suddenly affected
- E — Eyes/vision suddenly affected
- F — Face drooping
- A — Arm weakness
- S — Speech difficulty
- T — Time to get emergency help
