However, Dr. Giglio emphasized that the absence of brain damage does not mean you should ignore TIA symptoms.
“It could indicate that you are at risk of having a stroke within the next 48 hours, and certainly within 7, 30, or even 90 days.”
The “BEFAST” Stroke Warning Signs
Experts recommend remembering the acronym “BEFAST” to recognize stroke symptoms quickly:
B (Balance) – Difficulty maintaining balance or loss of coordination.
E (Eyesight) – Vision changes such as blurriness, loss of vision, or double vision.
F (Face) – Facial changes, such as one side of the face drooping or an asymmetrical smile.
A (Arm) – Weakness or numbness in one arm.
S (Speech) – Speech difficulties, such as slurred or incoherent speech.
T (Time) – Act immediately and seek medical help if any symptoms appear.
Dr. Joshua Willey, a stroke neurology specialist at Columbia University (USA), noted that “T” could also stand for “terrible headache” – a sudden and severe headache.