A stroke often seems sudden — one moment a person feels fine, and the next they are facing a life-threatening emergency.
But studies show that up to 80% of strokes are preceded by warning signs, sometimes appearing as early as 90 days before the actual event.
Recognizing these subtle clues can literally save a life.
Here are the early symptoms experts say may appear weeks or months before a stroke.
1. Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs): The Most Important Warning
A TIA, often called a “mini-stroke,” is the strongest sign that a major stroke may occur within days or months.
TIAs happen when blood flow to the brain is blocked for a short time — usually a few minutes.
Common signs of a TIA:
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Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body
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Slurred or unclear speech
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Temporary vision loss or blurry vision
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Sudden dizziness or loss of balance
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A brief, intense headache
TIAs do not cause permanent damage, but they are extremely dangerous.
Up to 1 in 3 people who have a TIA will later have a full stroke.
2. Unexplained Episodes of Dizziness or Loss of Balance
Constant dizziness is not normal.
If someone repeatedly feels:
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Lightheaded
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Off-balance
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Like the room is spinning
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Difficulty walking in a straight line
…it may indicate reduced blood flow to the brain.
This can happen weeks before a stroke, especially in older adults or people with high blood pressure.
