Get emergency help if you have symptoms of a stroke, even if they last only a few minutes. Such short-lasting symptoms (less than 24 hours) indicate that a person has had what is sometimes called a “mini-stroke” but is still a stroke nonetheless and should be taken as seriously as a full-blown stroke.
The symptoms of a stroke with short-lasting symptoms are similar to those of a full-blown stroke: sudden numbness or weakness of the face, one arm, or one leg; sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes; sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of coordination; or sudden severe headache with no known cause.
Many people with such strokes do not seek immediate medical attention, which is dangerous because they have a 10 to 20 percent chance of developing a full-blown stroke during the next month; drug treatment can often prevent this.
