Can a mini stroke cause facial drooping?

Author: Austyn Corkery  |  Last update: Thursday, June 12, 2025

Recognising the signs of a TIA The main symptoms can be remembered with the word FAST: Face – the face may have dropped on 1 side, the person may not be able to smile, or their mouth or eye may have drooped.

Can a mini-stroke affect your face?

That's because there's no way to predict how long a TIA will last, and every minute counts. Seek immediate medical help if you have signs of stroke, including balance issues, vision changes, face and arm drooping, and speech difficulties.

What are the early warning signs of a mini-stroke face droop?

The symptoms of a TIA are similar to those found early in a stroke. Symptoms happen suddenly and may include: Weakness, numbness or paralysis in the face, arm or leg, typically on one side of the body. Slurred speech or trouble understanding others.

How long does facial droop last after TIA?

The disruption in blood supply results in a lack of oxygen to the brain. This can cause sudden symptoms like those of a stroke. However, a TIA does not last as long as a stroke. The effects only last for a few minutes or hours and fully resolve within 24 hours.

What does a stroke face look like?

If one side of a person's face is drooping or their smile is uneven or lopsided, this can be a sign of stroke. If one side of your face suddenly feels numb, this can be a sign of stroke.

Bell Palsy vs Stroke

Why is my face drooping?

Key facts. Facial droop happens when your facial muscles are not working properly. This can be caused by different conditions, such as Bell's palsy, or stroke. If you experience facial droop, you should see your doctor as soon as possible.

Does your face drop when you have a stroke?

The main symptoms of a stroke can happen suddenly. They may include: face weakness – one side of your face may droop (fall) and it might be hard to smile. arm weakness – you may not be able to fully lift both arms and keep them there because of weakness or numbness in 1 arm.

Will my face go back to normal after a mini-stroke?

While these symptoms may resolve with time, if they're still present three months after your TIA, they probably won't go away on their own. You'll need appropriate therapy to help them resolve.

What is the 4-hour rule for stroke?

The process of giving this medicine is known as thrombolysis. Thrombolysis can break down and disperse a clot that is preventing blood from reaching your brain. For most people, thrombolysis needs to be given within four-and-a-half hours of your stroke symptoms starting.

How do I know if I just had a mini-stroke?

The symptoms of a TIA are similar to those of a stroke and include: Numbness or muscle weakness, usually on one side of the body. Trouble speaking or understanding speech. Dizziness or loss of balance.

What can be mistaken for a mini stroke?

To further complicate matters, other neurological disruptions such as migraines, minor seizures, and low blood sugar can mimic TIA symptoms.

Can you fix droopy face after stroke?

Treatments for facial paralysis after stroke

Physical therapy: Physical therapy is crucial in post-stroke facial paralysis rehabilitation. Therapists use targeted exercises and techniques to help patients regain control over their facial muscles. Over time, these exercises can help improve facial symmetry and movement.

What is the best drink to avoid stroke?

To recap, your best choices are hydrating beverages that contain minimal calories, sugar or salt. Reach for water, coffee or tea most often. And keep a water bottle handy – the visual cue reminds you to keep sipping.

How to fix one side of face drooping?

There are specific facial exercises for those with facial droop that can help deal with and overcome facial paralysis.
  1. Laugh! Yes, laugh. ...
  2. Mouth Stretches. You may feel silly doing this, but simply opening and closing your mouth repeatedly will work the muscles of your face. ...
  3. Eyebrow Stretches. ...
  4. Lip Movements.

How do you confirm you had a TIA?

An MRI scan is most often used. This type of scan uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to create an image of your brain.

What happens if a mini stroke goes untreated?

What happens if a TIA goes untreated? Having a TIA is a warning you are at risk of having a stroke. If you do not seek urgent medical help, you may go on to have another TIA or a stroke. So it's important to get treatment as soon as possible to reduce your risk.

Can your body warn you a month before a stroke?

Although strokes frequently happen, warning signals may appear a month before a stroke. Here are some early stroke warning signs that you shouldn't ignore. Numbness or weakness: One side of the body, face, arm, or leg may experience this.

Can EKG detect mini stroke?

Checking the blood flow and tissue within the brain tissue may be important to determine the cause of a TIA or any brief symptoms of stroke. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan or computerized tomography (CT) scan can show the images. An electrocardiogram (ECG) is often helpful.

Does your face droop with a mini-stroke?

The main symptoms of a TIA can be remembered with the word FAST: Face – the face may have dropped on 1 side, the person may not be able to smile, or their mouth or eye may have dropped. Arms – the person may not be able to lift both arms and keep them raised because of weakness or numbness in 1 arm.

What not to do after a mini-stroke?

Although a TIA should not have a long-term impact on your daily activities, you must stop driving immediately. If your doctor is happy that you have made a good recovery and there are no lasting effects after 1 month, you can start driving again.

Is a ministroke a big deal?

If you have a mini-stroke, your stroke risk is highest during the 90 days afterward. According to the American Heart Association, a mini-stroke precedes about 12 percent of strokes.

Can a stroke cause droopy face?

However, facial paralysis, or palsy, is a common stroke symptom, which is why it appears in the F.A.S.T acronym. According to a 2020 review , one study found that facial drooping occurs in 45% of stroke cases, while another found rates of 60% in people with first-time ischemic cortical stroke.

Why does my face look droopy?

Sagging face is a cosmetic “condition” that occurs naturally in many people as they age. The skin loses its youthful appearance as it loses elasticity and volume over time, which causes it to droop, resulting in jowls and eye bags.

Does your face sag when you have a stroke?

Men and women who have strokes often feel similar symptoms of stroke, such as face drooping, arm weakness and speech difficulty. Other common signs for both women and men include problems seeing out of one or both eyes and balance or coordination problems.

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