A stroke occurs when the brain’s blood supply is interrupted, either by a blockage or a burst blood vessel. This prevents brain tissue from receiving oxygen and nutrients, leading to cell damage. While many people associate stroke symptoms with sudden onset, these symptoms can persist for hours, days, or appear intermittently. Recognizing these signs and acting swiftly is important, as a stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention.
Recognizing the Signs
Identifying stroke signs quickly is important for treatment. The FAST acronym helps recognize symptoms: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, and Time to call emergency services. Check if one side of the face droops, is numb, or if a smile is uneven.
Assess arm weakness by asking the person to raise both arms; if one drifts downward, it indicates a problem. Speech changes, such as slurred words or difficulty understanding others, are also indicators. If any FAST signs are present, call emergency services, even if symptoms improve. Other signs can include sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, sudden vision changes like blurred or lost sight in one or both eyes, confusion, or a sudden, severe headache without a known cause.
Understanding Transient Ischemic Attacks
Stroke-like symptoms that last for days or appear intermittently often indicate a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), commonly referred to as a “mini-stroke.” A TIA occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is briefly blocked, causing temporary stroke-like symptoms. Unlike a full stroke, a TIA does not cause permanent brain damage because the blockage is temporary.
While many TIA symptoms resolve within minutes, some can last for several hours, and in rare cases, up to 24 hours. The fluctuating or prolonged nature of TIA symptoms can sometimes lead to the impression that stroke symptoms are lasting for days. Despite their temporary nature, TIAs are a warning sign that a full stroke may occur. Approximately one-third of individuals who experience a TIA will eventually have a stroke, with about half of these occurring within a year, often within days or weeks of the TIA. Therefore, a TIA should be treated as a medical emergency requiring prompt evaluation.
The Critical Importance of Immediate Medical Care
Regardless of whether symptoms are fleeting or prolonged, seeking immediate emergency medical care for any suspected stroke or TIA is important. Time is a critical factor in stroke treatment, often summarized by the phrase “time is brain.” For every minute that passes during an ischemic stroke, approximately 1.9 million brain cells can be lost due to lack of oxygen. Prompt medical intervention can reduce brain damage and improve long-term outcomes.
Calling emergency services ensures that medical professionals can begin assessment and treatment on the way to the hospital. Emergency medical teams are trained to quickly identify stroke symptoms and can alert the hospital, allowing specialized stroke centers to prepare for the patient’s arrival. This preparation can expedite diagnostic imaging, such as CT or MRI scans, which are necessary to determine the type of stroke and initiate time-sensitive treatments like clot-dissolving medications or clot removal procedures. Even if symptoms disappear, prompt medical attention can help identify underlying causes and implement preventative measures to reduce the risk of a future, more severe stroke.