Queen Guitarist Brian May Says He Had a Minor Stroke: What 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:

• Face: Part of the face is drooping or numb. The individual may not be able to smile or may have an uneven smile.
• Arm: An arm is weak, numb, or lacking coordination. The individual may not be able to raise their arm, or it may drift downward.
• Speech: An individual has difficulty speaking or slurred speech.
• Time: A stroke is a medical emergency. If any of these symptoms are present, call 911 immediately. Note the time that the symptoms first appeared.

Other symptoms of stroke include:

• Confusion
• Difficulty walking
• Severe headache
• Numbness
• Trouble seeing

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, the guitarist for legendary rock group Queen, recently experienced what his doctors described as a “minor stroke.”

During the incident, May lost the ability to use his left hand. He now appears to be in good health and has regained the use of his hand.

The severity of a stroke may vary from person to person, but individuals are always urged to know the signs of a stroke and to seek medical attention.