If your aging parent or loved one is showing sudden, unusual symptoms, they might be experiencing a mini-stroke—medically known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA). These events occur when blood flow to the brain is briefly interrupted, often due to a blood clot, narrowed artery, or plaque buildup.In older adults, common causes include atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), along with risk factors like
high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, and certain medications.Recognizing TIA symptoms is crucial because they often serve as a warning sign for a full-blown stroke. Watch for sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), confusion, slurred or lost speech, vision changes, difficulty walking, dizziness, loss of coordination, or a sudden, severe headache with no clear cause.
