If you’re battling unexplained tiredness that just won’t go away, the cause might be more serious than poor sleep or a busy schedule. New research suggests a mini-stroke—also known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA)—could leave you feeling drained for up to a year, even if the event itself lasted only minutes.
A TIA is a brief blockage of blood flow to the brain that often causes temporary symptoms like slurred speech, weakness, or confusion. Most people recover quickly and assume they’re fine. However, according to a study published in Neurology on May 14, 2025, many people experience lingering fatigue long after those physical symptoms fade.
Researchers followed 354 people who had experienced a TIA. At two weeks post-stroke, 61% reported significant fatigue. Even a year later, more than half were still affected. The fatigue wasn’t just physical—it spanned mental exhaustion, reduced motivation, and decreased energy overall.
Interestingly, the presence of fatigue wasn’t linked to the severity of the stroke or even visible signs on a brain scan. What was linked? A history of anxiety or depression. Those with prior mental health conditions were twice as likely to report persistent fatigue.
Study author Dr. Boris Modrau emphasized the importance of follow-up care. If fatigue sets in shortly after a TIA, there’s a good chance it may linger, and patients may need ongoing support.
The takeaway: persistent tiredness isn’t always benign. It might be your brain telling you something happened, and that you need to pay attention.
