A “mini-stroke” is usually called a transient ischemic attack (TIA). It happens when blood flow to part of the brain is temporarily interrupted. The symptoms can disappear within minutes or hours, but a TIA is a medical emergency and warning sign of possible stroke.
5 signs to recognize
- Sudden facial drooping
One side of the face may feel weak, or the person may suddenly have difficulty smiling. - Sudden weakness or numbness
Particularly in one arm or one side of the body. - Sudden speech problems
Speech may become slurred, garbled, or difficult to produce or understand. - Sudden vision problems
Temporary loss or disturbance of vision in one or both eyes can occur. - Sudden balance or coordination problems
A person may suddenly become dizzy, unsteady, or have difficulty walking.
🚨 Don’t wait for the symptoms to disappear
A TIA can look exactly like a stroke at first, and you cannot reliably tell at home whether it’s a TIA or a full stroke. Even if the symptoms completely disappear, urgent medical assessment is necessary.
Remember FAST:
- F — Face: Is one side drooping?
- A — Arms: Can both arms be raised normally?
- S — Speech: Is speech suddenly abnormal?
- T — Time: Get emergency medical help immediately
