Strokes rank as one of the top causes of mortality in the United States, with approximately 800,000 people affected annually. This alarming statistic translates to a stroke occurring every 40 seconds in the nation.
Such figures are particularly concerning for individuals with a family history of stroke or those facing risk factors such as high blood pressure and specific heart conditions. Nevertheless, being informed about stroke symptoms and understanding the associated risks can empower individuals to take preventive action.
Dr. Brandon Giglio, director of vascular neurology at NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn, reports that around 85% of strokes in the U.S. are ischemic, resulting from reduced blood flow to the brain. The remaining 15% are hemorrhagic strokes, caused by ruptured blood vessels in the brain.
A noteworthy precursor to strokes is the ‘warning stroke’ experienced by many patients in the days, weeks, or even months leading up to a full stroke.
What is a Warning Stroke?
Medically termed transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), warning strokes represent a critical but often unnoticed condition that can foreshadow more severe strokes. Dr. Ahmed Itrat, stroke medical director at Cleveland Clinic Akron General, emphasizes the urgency of recognizing these attacks. He states that up to 20% of those experiencing a warning stroke may suffer a full stroke within 90 days without medical intervention.
Characteristics of Warning Strokes
A transient ischemic attack is characterized by “sudden-onset transient symptoms of neurological injury that resolve on their own,” as explained by Itrat. Unlike a full stroke, these symptoms typically do not result in lasting neurological damage.
However, the temporary nature of TIAs should not undermine their significance. Giglio warns that they are often indicative of a potential stroke, particularly within the following days or weeks. He notes, “It really is a harbinger in many people for someone who is going to have a stroke even within the next 48 hours and certainly within the next seven, 30, 90 days.”
Terminology and Its Implications
Commonly referred to as “ministrokes,” TIAs can be misleadingly trivialized by this nomenclature. Dr. Joshua Willey, a stroke neurology specialist at Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, asserts that the term “warning strokes” aptly conveys the urgent nature of the condition, comparable to traditional strokes.
Recognizing Symptoms
The symptoms of transient ischemic attacks and strokes are clinically identical. Giglio notes, “I would say that basically all the same signs and symptoms of a stroke are the signs and symptoms of a transient ischemic attack.”
All three medical experts consulted by HuffPost recommend the “BE FAST” acronym, a well-known mnemonic outlining the various signs of a stroke. These symptoms can manifest suddenly, as emphasized by Giglio:
- Balance — sudden changes in balance or coordination.
- Eyesight — visual disturbances, including blurriness or loss of vision.
- Facial droop — unevenness in facial appearance or smile.
- Arm — weakness affecting one arm.
- Speech — alterations in speech, such as slurred words or incoherence.
- Time — prompt action is necessary to seek emergency medical services. Willey adds that the ‘T’ can also represent a sudden, severe headache.
Giglio advises caution, stating, “You could have all of those symptoms, you could have one of those symptoms or any mixture in between.” Thus, if any of these signs are observed, immediate medical attention is vital.
