5 Signs of a Mini-Stroke in Older Adults
A mini-stroke, medically called a transient ischemic attack (TIA), happens when blood flow to part of the brain is temporarily blocked. Symptoms can disappear within minutes or hours, but a TIA is still a medical emergency because it can warn of a major stroke.
1. Sudden weakness or numbness
One side of the face, arm, or leg may suddenly become weak or numb. The person may have difficulty lifting one arm or notice that one side of the face droops.
2. Sudden trouble speaking
Speech may become slurred, confused, or difficult to understand. Someone may also suddenly struggle to find or understand words.
3. Sudden vision changes
Temporary loss of vision, blurred vision, or double vision—particularly in one eye—can be a warning sign.
4. Sudden dizziness or loss of balance
A person may suddenly become very dizzy, have trouble walking, or lose coordination without an obvious explanation.
5. Sudden severe confusion or difficulty understanding
A person may suddenly seem confused, have trouble understanding what others are saying, or behave unusually.
Remember: Act FAST
If any of these symptoms appear suddenly, don’t wait to see whether they go away. Call your local emergency medical service immediately. Even if symptoms disappear, the person needs urgent medical evaluation.
A TIA can be difficult to distinguish from a stroke at home, so it’s safest to treat sudden neurological symptoms as a stroke emergency.
