5 Symptoms of a “Mini-Stroke” (TIA) in Older Adults
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is sometimes called a mini-stroke. It causes stroke-like symptoms when blood flow to part of the brain is temporarily interrupted. Even if symptoms disappear, a TIA requires urgent medical assessment because it can be a warning of a subsequent stroke.
Five common symptoms include:
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Sudden weakness or numbness, especially in the face, arm, or leg on one side.
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Sudden difficulty speaking or understanding speech — including slurring or inability to find words.
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Sudden vision changes in one or both eyes.
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Sudden dizziness, loss of balance, or difficulty walking.
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Sudden severe headache, particularly if it is unusual for the person or occurs with other neurological symptoms.
🚨 Act immediately
Don’t wait to see whether symptoms go away. A TIA can last only minutes, and the fact that symptoms have resolved does not make it harmless.
If any of these symptoms are happening now, call your local emergency service immediately and note when the symptoms began (or the last time the person was known to be well).
A useful way to remember the most important signs is BE FAST: Balance, Eyes, Face, Arm, Speech, Time.
