A “mini-stroke” usually refers to a transient ischemic attack (TIA). The symptoms can disappear within minutes or hours, but a TIA is still a medical emergency because it can precede a major stroke.
5 warning signs to recognize
- Sudden weakness or numbness, especially on one side of the face, arm, or leg.
- Sudden trouble speaking or understanding speech—including slurring, confusion, or difficulty finding words.
- Sudden vision changes, such as loss of vision or double vision, particularly in one eye.
- Sudden dizziness, loss of balance, or difficulty walking, especially when it comes on unexpectedly.
- Sudden severe headache with no obvious cause, particularly if accompanied by other neurological symptoms.
A useful way to remember the classic warning signs is FAST: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call emergency services.
Don’t wait to see whether symptoms go away. If these symptoms are happening now—or happened recently and then disappeared—seek emergency medical care immediately. A TIA can only be distinguished reliably from a stroke through medical evaluation and often brain and blood-vessel imaging.
Older age increases stroke risk, but these warning signs should be treated urgently at any age.
