Yes! There can be warning signs before a stroke, often called transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) or “mini-strokes.” These can happen minutes to hours before a major stroke, giving your body subtle signals. Here are four classic warning signs that often appear about 15 minutes before a stroke:
1. Sudden Numbness or Weakness
- Usually on one side of the body—face, arm, or leg.
- May feel like pins-and-needles or sudden heaviness.
2. Sudden Confusion or Trouble Speaking
- Difficulty finding words or understanding speech.
- You or others might notice you’re speaking strangely or can’t follow a conversation.
3. Sudden Vision Problems
- Blurred or double vision, or loss of vision in one eye.
- May also include sudden trouble seeing out of both eyes, though usually one is affected.
4. Sudden Trouble Walking, Dizziness, or Loss of Balance
- Feeling unsteady, dizzy, or like your coordination is off.
- Can include sudden severe headache without a clear cause.
⚠️ Critical Note
- These signs can appear very quickly and last only a few minutes during a TIA—but they are a major warning that a full stroke could follow.
- Act FAST: Call emergency services immediately if any of these occur. Early treatment can prevent permanent brain damage.
💡 Tip to Remember (FAST acronym):
- F: Face drooping
- A: Arm weakness
- S: Speech difficulty
- T: Time to call emergency services
If you want, I can make a quick, easy-to-remember diagram showing these 4 warning signs so you can spot them fast in yourself or others. It’s really handy.
Do you want me to do that?
