A stroke is a serious and potentially fatal medical condition that arises when the brain’s blood supply is interrupted. Although many assume strokes strike without warning, the body can actually show signs weeks or even months ahead of time.

Studies indicate that some warning symptoms may appear as early as 90 days before a stroke occurs. Being able to identify these early signals can allow for prompt medical care and possibly prevent a more severe stroke.

1. What Triggers a Stroke?

A stroke occurs either when a blockage cuts off blood flow to the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures. This disruption can cause brain cells to become damaged or die, often resulting in serious effects like loss of movement, difficulties with speech, or even d.eath.

✔ Main Types of Stroke:

1️⃣ Ischemic Stroke – Caused by a blood clot blocking blood flow to the brain (most common type).
2️⃣ Hemorrhagic Stroke – Occurs when a blood vessel bursts, leading to brain bleeding.
3️⃣ Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) – A “mini-stroke” where blood flow is temporarily

🚨 Why It’s Important: Many people ignore early symptoms of a stroke, assuming they

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.

All three experts emphasized that if any of these symptoms appear, even briefly, you should seek medical attention immediately.

Dr. Willey stated:

“Typically, a transient ischemic attack lasts no more than 5 to 10 minutes and certainly under an hour. However, BEFAST symptoms may last only 30 to 60 seconds.”

For this reason, do not hesitate even for a minute if you experience arm weakness or sudden blurred vision.

Managing Stroke Risk Factors

You can take control of your stroke risk factors.

Dr. Itrat explained that conditions such as high cholesterol and high blood sugar, if left uncontrolled, can increase the risk of stroke.

As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people should increase physical activity, quit smoking, adjust their diet, or take medications to manage conditions like high blood pressure to reduce stroke risk.