A symptom that may be a harbinger of an impending stroke

A week before a stroke, a sentinel symptom may appear — a severe headache different from usual. The American Academy of Neurology found that 549 out of 2,416 study participants had a transient ischemic attack (TIA) preceding a stroke. The article describes the characteristics of sentinel headache and provides recommendations for reducing stroke risk through a healthy lifestyle.

A week before a stroke, a sentinel symptom may appear — a severe, sharp, unrelenting headache different from all previous ones. The American Academy of Neurology published data from a study involving 2,416 people, of whom 549 had a mini-stroke (transient ischemic attack, TIA). This brief disruption in blood supply to the brain causes symptoms resembling a stroke but lasts a few minutes and does not lead to irreversible damage. A key sign of TIA is a sentinel headache, described as the worst in one's life. It is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and neck stiffness. The article also provides recommendations for reducing stroke risk: healthy eating, blood pressure control, quitting bad habits, and regular physical activity. The material is informational and references the foreign publication Express.