You likely have read about full-blown strokes, but did you know that mini strokes can happen, too, and are actually quite common? The problem is that they can go unnoticed, preventing the victim from getting the medical attention that they need. Not only that, but they are also at an even higher risk for a full-blown stroke, but no one knows this. For this reason, it is important to understand the signs of mini stroke, so that the person can get the help they need as quickly as possible.

What is a Mini Stroke?
Mini-stroke (neurological disorder) diagnosis medical concept on tablet screen with stethoscope.
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A mini stroke, medically known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA), is a temporary disruption in blood flow to the brain. Unlike a full-blown ischemic stroke, a mini stroke typically lasts for a shorter amount of time. This can be from just a few minutes to up to 24 hours. Despite being temporary, mini strokes are important to recognize. They still do damage to the brain and can be a warning sign of an impending major stroke.

The Signs of Mini Stroke
Doctor holding mini blackboard with STROKE message
The signs of mini strokes are similar to full strokes, though the damage they do is not usually permanent. Immediate medical attention is still crucial, however, to prevent further strokes and long-term complications. Mini stroke symptoms can be slightly more subtle than major strokes. It is important to be hyper-aware of the signs in order to get medical attention required. The signs are as follows:

1. Weakness or Numbness
woman suffering from wrist pain, numbness, or Carpal tunnel syndrome hand holding her ache joint
A sudden onset of weakness or numbness in the face, arms, or legs is one of the primary signs of mini stroke. This weakness or numbness often only affects one side of the body. It can last for a few minutes or up to 24 hours. The key here is that it is a symptom that seems to come on quite suddenly. One minute everything is fine, and the next the leg is weak and it is hard to walk, or it is challenging to lift the arm, etc.

2. Difficulty Understanding or Speaking
image of senior man thinking with set of question marks icons
Confusion is not ‘just a part of getting older’. If an elderly person is having difficulty understanding what others are saying or speaking themselves, it could be a sign of a mini stroke. This could manifest as slurred speech or as an inability to articulate words clearly. Again, the changes are often quite sudden. Caregivers should pay close attention to any seemingly out-of-the-blue changes in the individuals speech patterns.

3. Sudden Vision Changes
Tired senior lady holding glasses and rubbing face with closed eyes at home. Confused middle aged 60s woman feeling fatigue, dizziness, suffering from headache, memory loss, eyesight problem. Close up
Loss of vision is an unfortunate part of aging for many people. That being said, these changes in vision are usually gradual and happen slowly over time. In the case of abrupt onset of blindness or vision changes in either one or both eyes, this could be a sign of a mini stroke. With mini strokes, these vision changes usually occur suddenly and may last for a few minutes. Any unexplained visual disturbances should prompt immediate medical attention.

4. Dizziness and Coordination Problems