Stroke Actually Sends Warning Signals Up to 90 Days in Advance — Sadly, Few People Notice in Time to Prevent It

Not everyone pays attention to the early, subtle warning signs of a stroke — signs that could help prevent a life-threatening event.

Unexpected Early Warning Signs of a Stroke

Your arm suddenly becomes numb or weak, your speech briefly sounds slurred or “distorted”… When these alarming symptoms disappear quickly, you may think everything is fine.

But doctors emphasize that symptoms resembling a stroke — even if they vanish — are not something you should ignore. Don’t assume you’re safe just because they don’t seem to leave lasting damage.

These warning signs may actually be a transient ischemic attack (TIA) — also known as a mini-stroke. Its symptoms mimic those of a full stroke: facial drooping, arm weakness, and slurred speech.

“The only difference is that they don’t lead to permanent neurological damage,” said Dr. Ahmed Itrat, Head of the Stroke Center at Cleveland Clinic Akron General (USA).

People who experience a TIA face a high risk of a real stroke within days or weeks, when blood supply to part of the brain becomes fully blocked.

Dr. Brandon Giglio, Director of Vascular Neurology at NYU Langone Hospital, told HuffPost:
“People should be very concerned about a stroke occurring within 48 hours. And certainly within 7, 30, or even 90 days.”

Recently, Brian May — legendary guitarist of the band Queen — revealed that he experienced a “mini-stroke,” temporarily losing control of his left arm.

Doctors advised him to rest after the health scare. “I can’t go out, drive, fly, or do anything that makes my heart rate too high. But I’m OK,” he told fans. His story is a powerful reminder of the dangers of mini-strokes.

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What Are the Warning Signs of a Mini-Stroke?

According to the NHS, a TIA occurs when blood flow to the brain is briefly disrupted. The main symptoms can be remembered with BE FAST:

• Balance: Sudden loss of balance or coordination.

• Eyes: Vision changes such as blurriness, double vision, or vision loss.

• Face: One side of the face droops; you may be unable to smile.

• Arms: You may be unable to lift both arms because one is weak or numb.

• Speech: Slurred speech, difficulty speaking, or inability to speak despite being conscious.

• Time: If any symptoms appear, call emergency services immediately.

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How Long Do These Symptoms Last?

According to Dr. Joshua Willey of Columbia University, a mini-stroke usually lasts 5–10 minutes, sometimes only 30–60 seconds.

The NHS adds that symptoms may last minutes to hours but always disappear within 24 hours. Despite the short duration, experts warn: never ignore them.

There’s no way to know whether the symptoms will pass or progress into a disabling stroke — even a few seconds of blurred vision or arm weakness can signal danger in the days or months ahead.

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What Should You Do If You Experience a Mini-Stroke?

• Seek immediate medical help.

• Take an aspirin right away if a mini-stroke is suspected (unless contraindicated).

• Even if symptoms vanish while waiting for the ambulance, you still need a hospital evaluation.

• If you think you previously had a TIA but didn’t get medical care, schedule an urgent appointment with your doctor.

Treatment depends on age and medical history. You may be advised to change lifestyle habits or be prescribed medication to reduce stroke risk.

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What Increases Your Stroke Risk?

While arteries naturally narrow with age, several factors accelerate this process:

• Smoking

• Obesity

• Excessive alcohol consumption

• High blood pressure

• High cholesterol

• Diabetes

• Stress

• Lack of exercise

Managing these risks is key to preventing stroke.