If you see any of the above symptoms—even if they go away—do not wait.
Do not drive the person to the hospital yourself. Call for emergency services. Paramedics can begin treatment in the ambulance and will know which hospital to take them to (stroke centers have specialized equipment and protocols).
Do not let the person go to sleep. Symptoms that resolve overnight may be mistaken for “just being tired.” They are not.
Do not assume it’s nothing because they “feel fine now.” That’s what TIAs do. They resolve. But the underlying risk remains.
5. Sudden, Severe Headache (With No Known Cause)
This is the less common but still important symptom.
What it feels like: A sudden, intense headache—often described as “the worst headache of my life.” Unlike a typical migraine or tension headache, this one comes on abruptly and may be accompanied by other neurological symptoms.
What to do: If an older adult experiences a sudden, severe headache with no known cause, seek medical attention. This could be a TIA, or it could be a different type of stroke (hemorrhagic).
Why it happens: Bleeding or reduced blood flow in the brain can irritate pain-sensitive structures.
In a TIA: The headache may resolve as the clot dissolves. But it still needs evaluation.
Additional TIA Symptoms (Less Common but Important)
Not every TIA follows the FAST pattern. Be aware of these as well.
Sudden confusion: Trouble understanding what’s happening, disorientation, inability to follow instructions.
Sudden vision changes: Blurred vision, double vision, or sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes (this is called amaurosis fugax—a temporary blindness that can be a TIA).
Sudden dizziness or loss of balance: Trouble walking, feeling like the room is spinning, stumbling without explanation.
Sudden numbness or tingling: On one side of the face or body, without weakness.
Sudden trouble swallowing (dysphagia): Difficulty managing saliva, feeling like food is stuck, choking on liquids.
If you see any of these symptoms—even if they’re subtle, even if they resolve—seek medical attention.
What to Do If You Suspect a TIA (Step-by-Step)
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