One of my (athletic) family members had a mini-stroke today. Instead of going directly to the hospital, she waited a couple hours to see if the symptoms would go away....

Rule Number 1: DO NOT WAIT!!!

Here's a list of signs from NIH http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/s...knowstroke.htm

The symptoms of stroke are distinct because they happen quickly:

Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side of the body)
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
Sudden severe headache with no known cause