The 5 warning signs of deadly stroke that strike up to 90 days before

DON’T dismiss sudden stroke-like symptoms that go away just as quickly, doctors have warned.

Say your arm feels numb or weak , or your speech temporarily gets garbled – if these worrying symptoms pass, you might think you’re in the clear.

But doctors stressed that stroke-like symptoms which disappear shortly after you experience them aren’t something you should brush off, simply because they don’t appear to leave lasting damage.

These warning signs could be what’s called a transient ischaemic attack (TIA).

Also referred to as a ‘ mini stroke’ or a ‘warning stroke’, its symptoms are similar to those of a stroke – a droopy face, arm weakness and garbled speech.

“The only difference is they don’t lead to a permanent neurological injury,” according to Dr Ahmed Itrat, stroke medical director at Cleveland Clinic Akron General.

But people who experience a TIA often go on to have a full-blown stroke – a serious life-threatening medical condition where the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off – in the days or weeks following.

Dr Brandon Giglio, director of vascular neurology at NYU Langone Hospital, told the Huffington Post : “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.”

Legendary Queen guitarist Brian May recently shared that he’d suffered a “minor stroke” that caused him to temporarily lose control of her left arm.

He was advised by doctors to take it easy following the health incident.

“I’m not allowed to go out, drive, get on a plane, I’m not allowed to raise the heart rate too high,” Sir Brian shared in a video message to fans.

“But I am good.”

Here’s everything you need to know about mini-strokes and what to do if you have one.

What the symptoms of a ‘warning stroke’?

A ‘mini stroke’ can occur when blood supply to the brain is temporarily interrupted, according to the NHS.

Like a stroke , the main symptoms of a TIA can be remembered with the phrase BE FAST:

• Balance — the person may have changes in balance or a loss of balance.
• Eyesight — changes in vision, like blurriness, loss of sight or double vision are something to look out for.
• Face – the face may have dropped on one side, the person may not be able to smile, or their mouth or eye may have dropped.
• Arms – the person may not be able to lift both arms and keep them raised because of weakness or numbness in one arm.
• Speech – their speech may be slurred or garbled, or the person may not be able to talk at all, despite appearing to be awake; they may also have problems understanding what you’re saying to them.
• Time – it’s time to call 999 immediately if you see any of these signs or symptoms

You could experience a mix of these symptoms or just one, so it’s important to not wait around for more than one sign to appear.

How long do they last?

According to Dr Joshua Willey, a stroke neurology expert at Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, TIAs probably last for a round five or 10 minutes – but sometimes they only strike for 30 to 60 seconds.

“The effects last a few minutes to a few hours and fully resolve within 24 hours,” NHS guidance stated.

Through a ‘mini stroke’ may only last seconds or minutes, experts stressed that you should never dismiss them because of how quickly they go away.

Brian May's 'mini stroke'

Queen guitarist Brian May has revealed he has suffered a stroke that saw him lose control of his left arm.

The legendary musician, 77, shared a video on his website, saying: “I’m here to bring you first of all some news.

“The good news is that I can play guitar after the events of the last few days.

“I say this because it was in some doubt because that little health hiccup happened about a week ago. What they called it was a ‘minor stroke’.

“All of a sudden, out of the blue, I didn’t have any control over this arm, so it was a little scary.”

Describing his recovery, Brian said he is essentially “grounded” because doctors have told him not to do anything that could raise his heart rate too much.

Read more on Sir Brian’s “health hiccup” here .

Dr Itrat said: “Even though, by definition, transient ischemic attacks are transient, when a person’s having symptoms there’s no way to predict whether that’s going to be resolving down the road or the symptoms are going to persist and lead to a disability.”

That means you should not minimise a minute of arm soreness or blurred vision – while the discomfort might fade within seconds, it could herald much more serious consequences days or months down the line.

What do to if you experience a warning stroke?

Firstly, if you think you’ve experienced a warning stroke, you should seek medical help immediately.

“It’s important to call 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance if you or someone else has symptoms of a TIA or stroke,” NHS guidance said.

You should also take aspirin straight away if you or someone else suspects you’re having a TIA.

Even if the symptoms disappear while you’re waiting for an ambulance to arrive, you still need to be assessed in hospital, the NHS emphasised.

If you think you may have had a TIA previously, but you didn’t seek medical advice at the time, make an urgent appointment with a GP, it added.

When at the hospital, Dr Willey said you should never discount your symptoms, even if you’re no longer experiencing them.

Treatment will vary according to your age and medical history, but you’re likely to be given advice about lifestyle changes that can reduce your stroke risk, and be offered medicine to treat the cause of the TIA.

What can predispose you to a stroke?

Ischaemic stroke , the most common form of the condition, occurs when a blood clot prevents the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain. This is typically caused by arteries becoming narrower over time.

While arteries can narrow naturally with age, other factors, some of which are preventable, can accelerate the process:

• Smoking
• Obesity
• Drinking too much alcohol
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol levels
• Having diabetes

The less common haemorrhagic stroke is caused by bleeding in or around the brain, which is usually the result of high blood pressure.

Again, the factors which contribute to high blood pressure can often be prevented:

• Being overweight or obese
• Drinking too much alcohol
• Smoking
• Lack of exercise
• Stress, which can cause a temporary rise in blood pressure

More than 100,000 people suffer a stroke every year in the UK and they’re responsible for over 38,000 deaths, according to Stroke Action .

Meanwhile, there are 1.3 million people living in the UK who have survived a stroke – many living with disabilities.

Don't delay... if you spot signs of a stroke dial 999 immediately

By Lizzie Parry , Head of Health

A STROKE is a medical emergency, that’s why knowing the signs and symptoms is vital.

It happens when the blood supply to the brain is cut off, killing off cells. The damage caused can affect how the body works, and the effects depend on where in the brain a stroke strikes.

There are three different types of stroke:

• Ischaemic stroke – where a blockage, like a blood clot, cuts off the blood supply to the brain
• Haemorrhagic stroke – caused by a bleed in or around the brain
• Transient ischaemic attack – also known as a ‘mini stroke’, this is a big warning sign of a full-blown stroke. It’s similar to a stroke but symptoms are shorter lived.

Every stroke is different but they can affect a patient’s ability to speak, move, think and feel. They can cause behavioural changes as well as emotional challenges.

They can happen to any of us, regardless of our age. That’s why it’s important to educate yourself on the warning signs.

The faster you get medical help and treatment, the more likely it is that the damage caused can be reversed and stopped in its tracks.

There’s a handy acronym that helps identify the symptoms of a stroke. If you spot these yourself, or in a loved one, do not delay – dial 999 immediately, and tell the call handler you suspect a stroke.

ACT Fast:

• F ace weakness – can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?
• A rm weakness – can the person raise both arms?
• S peech problems – can the person speak clearly and understand what you’re saying?
• T ime to call 999 – if you see any of these signs, get help.

This test helps spot three key signs, but there are other symptoms to be aware of too.

They include sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking, sudden blurred vision or loss of sight, sudden confusion or memory loss, dizziness or a sudden fall and a sudden, severe headache.

When it comes to a stroke, the bottom line is take these symptoms seriously. It may well be something more minor, but it pays to be alert and act fast. Not only could it save your life, but it could save you, or a loved one, from long-term, devastating side effects.

For more information about stroke, visit the Stroke Association or the NHS website. And you can read more from the Sun’s Health team on the subject of stroke here.