Warning signs of a stroke may appear briefly beforehand

Transient ischemic attacks cause brief stroke-like symptoms and are reported as possible precursors to full strokes; experts say some who experience them face increased short-term risk, with estimates up to about 1 in 5 within 90 days.

Strokes remain a common cause of serious illness in the United States, with hundreds of thousands of events reported each year. Medical experts describe brief episodes of stroke-like symptoms, called transient ischemic attacks or warning strokes, as possible precursors to full strokes. These episodes come on suddenly and often resolve on their own within minutes to an hour. The topic is discussed because of the short-term risk associated with these warning events. Key facts about warning strokes: - Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), often called warning strokes, produce sudden, temporary neurological symptoms similar to a stroke. - Experts report that about 85% of strokes are ischemic and about 15% are hemorrhagic. - TIAs typically last a few minutes and are generally under an hour; some clinicians note episodes as brief as 30–60 seconds. - Specialists cited that up to 1 in 5 people who experience a warning stroke could have a full stroke within 90 days, and many events are reported in the first 48 hours. - BE FAST is a widely referenced mnemonic for stroke signs, and common risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and uncontrolled diabetes. Summary: Experts describe warning strokes as transient but clinically significant events that often precede full strokes. Reported short-term risk varies by case, with clinicians noting elevated risk within 48 hours and estimates extending up to 90 days; individual outcomes depend on clinical evaluation.