Strokes are a leading cause of death in the United States, affecting approximately 800,000 individuals each year. On average, a stroke occurs every 40 seconds across the country.
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According to a report published by HuffPost, these figures are both shocking and alarming, particularly for individuals with a family history of strokes or underlying risk factors such as high blood pressure and certain heart conditions.
Recognizing stroke symptoms and understanding the associated risk factors remain the primary line of defense for prevention.
According to neurologist Dr. Brandon Giglio, roughly 85% of strokes in the U.S. are ischemic strokes, resulting from restricted blood flow to the brain. The remaining 15% are hemorrhagic strokes, which occur when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures. He added that many stroke patients experience what is known as a "warning stroke" days, weeks, or even months prior to a full stroke.
Understanding "Warning Strokes"
Medically known as a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), warning strokes are often misunderstood outside the medical community. While temporary, these attacks are highly dangerous medical conditions that can precede a full-blown stroke.
In fact, up to one in five individuals who experience a warning stroke may suffer a full stroke within 90 days if they do not receive medical care, according to Dr. Ahmed Itrat, Medical Director of the Stroke Program at Cleveland Clinic Akron General.
What exactly is a warning stroke? Dr. Itrat explains that a TIA causes "sudden and temporary neurological symptoms that resolve on their own." He added, "These symptoms can mimic a stroke, with the only difference being that they do not cause permanent neurological damage."
In other words, TIAs occur rapidly, last for a brief period, and do not result in the type of permanent brain damage seen in full strokes. However, the absence of permanent brain damage does not mean a TIA should be ignored. It remains a serious medical condition.
"In many cases, it is a warning that a person could suffer a stroke within the next 48 hours, and certainly within the next seven, 30, or 90 days," said Dr. Giglio.
TIAs are also commonly referred to as "mini-strokes." However, neurologist Dr. Joshua Willey argued that this term is problematic because it downplays the urgency of the situation. He emphasized that the term "warning stroke" better highlights the condition as a medical emergency, just like a "regular" stroke.
Stroke Signs and Symptoms
"It is safe to say that all the signs and symptoms of a stroke are identical to those of a TIA," stated Dr. Giglio.
The three experts who spoke to HuffPost referenced the "BE FAST" acronym as a common mnemonic to identify stroke signs. As the acronym suggests, these symptoms appear rapidly. The key signs include:
Balance: A sudden change in or loss of balance and coordination.
Eyes (Vision): Sudden vision changes, such as blurriness, loss of vision, or double vision.
Face: Facial drooping or an uneven smile.
Arm: Weakness in the arm on one side of the body.
Speech: Changes in speech, such as slurring or speaking incomprehensible words.
Dr. Giglio noted, "A person may experience all of these symptoms, just one, or any combination of them." Therefore, do not wait for multiple signs to appear; if you notice any of these issues, head to the emergency room immediately.
Many people underestimate TIA symptoms because they disappear quickly, according to the three experts. However, it is crucial to take these symptoms seriously, no matter how brief they are. While there is no strict rule for how long they last, there are general guidelines.
"Typically, we observe that TIAs last a maximum of about 5 to 10 minutes, and certainly less than an hour," said Dr. Willey, adding that warning strokes can sometimes last only 30 to 60 seconds. This means that even a single minute of arm weakness or blurred vision should not be dismissed.
Dr. Itrat concluded: "Although TIAs are, by definition, temporary, when a person is experiencing the symptoms, there is no way to predict whether they will eventually resolve or persist and lead to a disability."
