5 Symptoms of a “Mini-Stroke” in Seniors That Shouldn’t Be Ignored
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is often called a “mini-stroke,” but “warning stroke” is a better description. It happens when blood flow to part of the brain is temporarily blocked. The symptoms can disappear quickly, but that does not make them harmless.
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1. Sudden weakness or numbness
One side of the face, arm, or leg may suddenly become weak, numb, or difficult to control.
2. Sudden trouble speaking
Speech may become slurred, or the person may suddenly have difficulty finding words or understanding what others are saying.
3. Sudden vision problems
There may be sudden loss of vision, blurred vision, or double vision, particularly in one eye.
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www.stroke.org
4. Sudden dizziness or loss of balance
A person may suddenly become dizzy, unsteady, or have difficulty walking or coordinating their movements.
5. Sudden, unexplained severe headache
A sudden severe headache without an obvious cause can be a stroke warning sign, particularly when accompanied by other neurological symptoms.
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www.stroke.org
🚨 The most important part: act immediately
Use B.E. F.A.S.T.:
B — Balance: sudden loss of balance or coordination
E — Eyes: sudden vision changes
F — Face: facial drooping
A — Arms: sudden weakness or numbness
S — Speech: sudden speech difficulty
T — Time: call your local emergency service immediately
Do not wait to see if the symptoms go away. TIA symptoms can disappear within minutes, but they still require urgent medical evaluation because they can signal a higher risk of a subsequent stroke.
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If symptoms are happening right now, call emergency services and note the time they started (or the last time the person was known to be well).
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