Brian May, guitarist for the legendary rock group Queen, revealed this week that he experienced a “minor stroke.” In a video posted on his personal Instagram account, May explained that the incident required medical attention and briefly left him unable to use his left arm. Fortunately, the rocker is back in good health and, importantly, playing guitar again. “Good news is that I can play guitar after the events of the last few days and I say this because it was in some doubt,” he said in the video. “All of a sudden, out of the blue, I didn’t have any control over this arm,” May recounted. The incident is an important reminder that strokes can vary drastically in severity and presentation of symptoms. But don’t let the term “minor stroke” mislead you: strokes are a serious medical issue. Even minor strokes, if left untreated, can lead to serious health outcomes and death. Here’s what you need to know. A stroke refers to when areas of the brain are not receiving blood flow, which can result in damage to brain tissue. A minor stroke is a non-scientific term that a doctor may use to describe the general severity of a stroke. However, the term doesn’t make specific reference to the type (ischemic or hemorrhagic) or etiology (cause) of the stroke. “There’s no specific definition of minor stroke. A minor stroke for one person might be much more significant for somebody else. Presumably, the way it’s being used here is that it’s a stroke that hasn’t led to significant or lasting neurologic deficits,” Neil Schwartz, MD, PhD, a Clinical Professor of Neurology at Stanford Medicine, told Healthline. A minor stroke shouldn’t be confused with a transient ischemic attack (TIA), which is often described as a “ministroke” or “warning stroke.” A TIA causes stroke-like symptoms, such as limb weakness and drooping face, but resolves on its own without damage to the brain. It is called a “warning stroke” because it may be an early sign of a stroke. “The difference between a TIA and a minor stroke is that with a TIA, the symptoms go away, and the person recovers before there’s any actual injury to the brain. In other words, the lack of blood flow that is contributing to the problem resolves before there’s any permanent damage to the brain,” Mitchell Elkind, MD, MS, the Chief Clinical Science Officer of the American Heart Association, told Healthline. “A minor stroke, conversely, is when there may actually be a permanent injury to a small part of the brain, leaving a little scar, but the person’s brain reorganizes, and they’re able to recover from it very quickly,” added Elkind. Both TIA and stroke are serious medical conditions. A TIA may resolve on its own, but because it manifests with similar symptoms to a stroke, there is no way of knowing the severity without seeking medical attention. A minor stroke may also become a major one without treatment. So, if you are experiencing symptoms of a stroke, always seek aid. Brian May’s experience of a sudden lack of control over his left arm is one of the classic symptoms of a stroke. “We often just see one side of the body or the other affected,” said Schwartz. “We typically see a loss of function, such as weakness or numbness, and facial droop. Those are kind of the classic stroke symptoms,” he added. The hallmark stroke warning signs can be identified through the acronym FAST: ## Recognizing the Signs of Stroke Face: Does one side of the face droop? Arms: Can the person raise both arms? Speech: Is speech slurred or strange? Time: If any of the signs are present, call 911 immediately. Other symptoms of stroke include: * Sudden confusion * Difficulty understanding * Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes * Sudden dizziness * Loss of balance or coordination * Sudden severe headache with no known cause Elkind points out that, unlike a heart attack, individuals experiencing a stroke may not experience any pain. “Strokes often don’t cause any pain. So, people sometimes get misled because they think of a heart attack and think they should have pain. The brain doesn’t have any sensation itself, so it doesn’t feel pain, it just stops functioning,” he said. What a doctor prescribes for a patient following a stroke will differ based on the severity of the stroke, as well as other health and lifestyle factors. Brian May says that his doctors “grounded” him, advising him to stay off of airplanes, avoid driving, and keep his heart rate down. However, this advice isn’t generalizable to everyone who has experienced a stroke. Instead, patients should work with their doctors to develop a personalized recovery plan. Following a stroke, a doctor will order a diagnostic workup, likely including a brain MRI, to determine the cause and extent of the stroke. Depending on the findings, they may prescribe drugs, such as anticoagulants. A patient’s specific lifestyle and health factors are also key to recovery. During recovery, a doctor will want to address stroke comorbidities such as diabetes, cholesterol, and blood pressure. Patients may also need to modify lifestyle factors, including diet, exercise, and smoking following a stroke. “Depending on what the doctors think the specific cause is, they may make specific recommendations about rest, additional testing, or even surgery to the neck,” said Elkind. Brian May’s experience serves as a reminder that strokes can happen to anyone, at any time. He’s fortunate that his stroke was relatively minor, and he’s already back to playing guitar. But for many, the experience of a stroke can be devastating, leaving them with lifelong disabilities. ## Stroke Recovery and Prevention It’s important to be aware of the signs of a stroke and seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of them. The good news is that there are things you can do to reduce your risk of stroke, such as: * Maintaining a healthy weight * Eating a balanced diet * Exercising regularly * Managing your blood pressure * Quitting smoking * Reducing alcohol consumption Stroke can be a life-altering event, but with timely medical attention and a commitment to healthy living, recovery is possible. If you or someone you know has experienced a stroke, there are resources available to help with recovery and support. ## Brian May's Life After Stroke Brian May's experience highlights the importance of being aware of the signs of stroke and seeking medical attention immediately if you experience any of them. It also shows that even minor strokes can have a significant impact on a person's life, but with proper medical care and lifestyle changes, recovery is possible. May's doctors advised him to avoid strenuous activities and focus on rest and rehabilitation. While this may seem like a setback, it's crucial for his recovery and preventing future complications. May's experience also highlights the importance of staying informed about stroke and its risk factors. By taking steps to reduce our risk of stroke, we can protect ourselves and our loved ones from this potentially devastating condition. ## The Importance of Staying Informed In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to overlook our health and wellbeing. But stories like Brian May's remind us that our health is our most precious asset, and it's important to stay informed and proactive. By understanding the signs and symptoms of stroke and taking steps to reduce our risk, we can empower ourselves to live healthier, longer lives.