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Signs & Symptoms of a Miniature Stroke

The signs and symptoms of a miniature stroke can be similar to those of a full stroke. A miniature stroke, known as a transient ischemic attack, or TIA, occurs when the oxygen supply to a specific area of your brain is cut off. You won’t necessarily have all symptoms, and many of them pass quickly. About 10% of strokes are preceded by TIAs, so it’s important to seek medical attention immediately if you see signs or symptoms of a miniature stroke.

  1. Vision Problems

    • Vision problems can be a sign of a miniature stroke, either in one or both eyes. This can include loss of all or part of your vision. If you can see objects, they might flash for a brief period, sometimes accompanied by flash of bright light. You also might experience double vision, or you could temporarily lose your peripheral vision. Another sign to watch for is unequal pupil dilation or contraction.

    Muscle Weakness

    • Muscle weakness, or a lack of motor control known as hemiplegia, can occur on one side of the body. You also might experience numbness or tingling on the face, arm or leg, or on one side. Along with the weakness or numbness, you could have difficulty walking, a lack of coordination and balance, or clumsiness.

    Communication

    • Problems with communication, known as aphasia, can indicate a mini-stroke. Receptive aphasia is when you don’t comprehend what someone is saying; in other words, you have trouble “receiving.” With expressive aphasia, you’ll have difficulty speaking and writing coherently. Both of these symptoms together constitute global aphasia.

    Difficulty Swallowing

    • You might experience difficulty swallowing when having a miniature stroke. This swallowing problem is called dysphagia, and may include food becoming “stuck” in your throat, food or saliva falling uncontrollably from your mouth, coughing and choking.

    Sensory and Personality Changes

    • During a miniature stroke, you or those around you might notice specific changes to your senses and your personality. When touching things, you might feel temperature, pressure or pain differently. Your hearing may not be as strong. Foods might taste unusual, or you might not taste at all for a brief period. Your personality could be altered by mood swings, or you may become more emotional than usual.

    Other Miscellaneous Signs

    • A sudden headache, vertigo and dizziness, especially when accompanied by a loss of reflexes, can be signs of a mini-stroke. Other signs include lack of bladder or bowel control, convulsion, amnesia, an increase in body temperature, a change in breathing and a loss of consciousness.

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