How can you recognize a potential stroke or TIA in flight?

• A. Sudden unilateral weakness or facial droop, speech difficulty, confusion, or loss of balance; requires urgent medical attention and possible diversion
• B. Headache with nausea
• C. Dizziness only
• D. Mild fatigue

Answer: (A)

Recognize sudden neurological changes that affect one side of the body or speech. A stroke or TIA often presents with abrupt unilateral weakness or facial droop, difficulty speaking or understanding speech, confusion, or loss of balance or coordination. These signs reflect abrupt brain dysfunction and demand immediate medical evaluation. In flight, the fastest way to limit brain injury is to treat as an emergency and obtain help quickly, including diverting to the nearest suitable airport if needed. Even if symptoms resolve quickly (as with a TIA), this still requires urgent assessment because it signals vascular risk and a high chance of a subsequent stroke. If these signs appear, alert the flight crew, summon medical assistance, and note the onset time while keeping the passenger safe. Non-specific symptoms like headache with nausea, dizziness alone, or mild fatigue are common and not reliable indicators of a stroke, so they do not by themselves necessitate urgent diversion.