5 “early” signs that signal a stroke

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A stroke is a medical emergency caused by an obstruction of blood flow. When an organ is deprived of vital oxygen, the body's systems begin to shut down. Although strokes usually happen without warning, certain symptoms may appear days or weeks before a stroke.

Strokes are often portrayed as emergencies that come out of nowhere, but some people may experience warning signs in the time that precedes a stroke.

About one in three people who have a pre-stroke will eventually develop a full-blown stroke. Pre-strokes or mini-strokes are general terms used to describe a transient ischemic attack (TIA). A transient ischemic attack is caused by a temporary interruption of blood flow to an area of ​​the brain.

Although a TIA lasts only a few minutes and does not cause permanent damage, it can be a warning sign that a possible stroke may occur in the future. In some cases, it can occur hours or days or even years later.

Pre-stroke symptoms can mirror those of a real stroke, including:

• Weakness and/or numbness of the face, arms, or legs, usually on one side of the body
• Slurred or garbled speech
• Blindness or double vision in one or both eyes
• Dizziness
• Loss of balance and/or coordination

The reason these “early” signs resemble a full-blown stroke comes down to what’s causing these health problems. An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks the blood supply to the brain. The same thing happens during a pre-stroke.

However, this blockage is temporary in the case of a TIA, so you will see symptoms that last only a few minutes.

“Although these mini-stroke symptoms are usually short-lived and usually last between one and five minutes, it is important to seek medical attention immediately for prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent a full-blown stroke.”