Fatigue Can Linger for a Year After a Mini-Stroke—Especially If You’ve Had Anxiety or Depression
A mini-stroke might seem like a short-lived event, but its effects can stick around much longer than expected—especially when it comes to fatigue. Even when the classic symptoms disappear within hours, many people report feeling unusually tired for months afterward.
Known medically as a transient ischemic attack (TIA), a mini-stroke is caused by a temporary blockage in blood flow to the brain. Common symptoms include slurred speech, facial drooping, or weakness in one arm—usually resolving in less than 24 hours. But new research suggests that the aftermath may extend well beyond that window.
New Study Reveals Long-Term Fatigue After TIA
A study published on May 14, 2025, in Neurology—the official journal of the American Academy of Neurology—found that many people who experience a TIA continue to battle fatigue for up to a year. While the study didn’t establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship, it found a strong connection between TIAs and persistent tiredness.
It’s Not Always Over in a Day
“Symptoms like facial drooping, slurred speech, or arm weakness typically go away within a day,” explained Dr. Boris Modrau, a neurologist and lead author of the study from Aalborg University Hospital in Denmark. “However, some people continue to struggle with fatigue, mental fog, anxiety, and depression for months after the event.”
The study followed 354 adults with an average age of 70 who had recently experienced a mini-stroke. Researchers monitored their recovery for a full year.
Tracking Fatigue Over Time
To assess how tired participants felt, researchers had them complete questionnaires at four different points: within two weeks of the TIA, and again at three, six, and twelve months.
The questionnaires measured five areas of fatigue:
- General tiredness
- Physical exhaustion
- Reduced motivation
- Decreased activity
- Mental fatigue
Scores could range from 4 (low fatigue) to 20 (high fatigue). On average, participants scored 12.3 shortly after their mini-stroke—a level considered fatigued. Over the year, scores dropped only slightly: 11.9 at three months, 11.4 at six, and 11.1 at one year.
Importantly, 61% of participants reported significant fatigue just two weeks after their TIA. That number stayed fairly consistent at 54% through the rest of the year.
Brain Scans Didn’t Tell the Whole Story
Interestingly, brain scans didn’t show any clear differences between those who had long-lasting fatigue and those who didn’t. The presence of a visible blood clot didn’t explain who felt tired for longer.
What did stand out was mental health history. Participants who had previously experienced anxiety or depression were twice as likely to report lingering fatigue.
Why Follow-Up Care Is Crucial
“Fatigue that shows up soon after a mini-stroke often persists for a year,” said Dr. Modrau. “This shows how important it is to follow up with patients, not just physically, but emotionally and mentally.”
He recommends that anyone who’s had a TIA be monitored over the following weeks and months to identify those at risk for long-term fatigue. Early support and intervention could make a significant difference in recovery and quality of life.
One Limitation to Keep in Mind
While the findings are eye-opening, the researchers acknowledged one limitation: some participants may have had help filling out the surveys from family or caregivers, which could have influenced the results.
Study Reference:
“Long-Term Fatigue Following Transient Ischemic Attack: A Prospective Cohort Study” by Birgitte Hede Ebbesen, Simon Grøntved, Jakob Nebeling Hedegaard, Søren P. Johnsen, Jane Andreasen, Krystian Figlewski, Mirko Porobic, Michael Skovdal Rathleff, and Boris Modrau. Published May 14, 2025, in Neurology.
DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000213605
Supported by the Danish Physiotherapy Association.
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