If you mean a mini-stroke (TIA, or transient ischemic attack), symptoms can appear suddenly and may disappear within minutes or hours. Even if they resolve completely, a TIA can be a warning sign of a potentially disabling stroke and needs urgent medical assessment.
5 symptoms that should never be ignored
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Sudden weakness or numbness — especially in the face, arm, or leg, particularly on one side of the body.
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Sudden trouble speaking or understanding — slurred speech, difficulty finding words, or confusion.
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Sudden vision changes — loss or blurring of vision in one or both eyes, or double vision.
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Sudden dizziness or loss of balance — especially when accompanied by difficulty walking or coordination problems.
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Sudden, severe headache — particularly if it is unusual or accompanied by other neurological symptoms.
What to do: If any of these symptoms are happening now—or happened recently and then went away—seek emergency medical care immediately. Don’t wait to see whether they return, and don’t drive yourself. Emergency clinicians can determine whether the episode was a TIA, stroke, or another condition.
A useful memory aid is FAST: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call emergency services.
