In September, Queen's legendary guitarist Brian May was taken to hospital after a 'health hiccup' that turned out to be a 'minor stroke'. The 77-year-old rock icon found himself temporarily unable to use his left arm and shared with his fans that the situation was 'a little scary'.
Although Brian May is now recovering and has praised the 'fantastic care' he received at Frimley Park Hospital, a medical expert has highlighted several often-missed stroke symptoms that are crucial to recognise. Critically, 'minor strokes' and 'regular strokes' aren't quite the same either, with both potentially manifesting in different ways.
Dr Lawrence Cunningham, a retired GP at the Help and Advice, told the Express: "In my experience, the most recognisable symptoms of a stroke can be remembered with the acronym F.A.S.T - Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties, and Time to call emergency services.
"However, there are less typical symptoms that people often miss. I've encountered cases where individuals experienced sudden confusion, difficulty understanding speech, or even a severe headache with no known cause. Some also report vision problems or dizziness. I always recommend being vigilant about any sudden and unexplained changes in neurological function."
A minor stroke, or TIA, occurs when the blood flow to a part of the brain, back of the eye or spinal cord is temporarily blocked. This can cause symptoms similar to a stroke, such as numbness, difficulty speaking, dizziness or double vision, but it usually doesn't damage brain cells or lead to permanent disability, according to Mayo Clinic.
On the other hand, regular strokes often result in the blood supply being completely cut off to one part of the brain, killing brain cells and potentially affecting bodily functions from that point onwards. If you have a minor stroke, you're particularly at risk of having a regular stroke within the next 48 hours, which could be life-threatening.
"In some instances, symptoms may last only a few minutes, a condition known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or 'mini-stroke', which serves as a warning sign for potential future strokes," Dr Cunningham summarised. "However, full-blown strokes can cause lasting damage.
"Silent strokes are indeed a reality [too]. Unlike typical strokes, these don’t present noticeable symptoms and can go unnoticed. However, they still cause damage to the brain and can be identified through brain imaging.
"I have seen patients who only discovered they had a silent stroke during scans for other issues. These strokes can accumulate over time, leading to more significant health problems."
If you suspect a stroke, it's crucial to get medical help immediately, even if symptoms seem to have passed. According to Dr Cunningham, hospitals can then carry out assessments and take preventative steps to lower the risk of another emergency.
"Early intervention can be life-saving and greatly improve outcomes," he went on. "I’ve learned that time is of the essence when dealing with strokes.
"Public awareness of the symptoms and risk factors can significantly impact outcomes. I always advocate for regular health check-ups, especially for those with risk factors. And remember, never hesitate to seek medical help if you suspect a stroke -better safe than sorry."
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