A new term for transient ischemia attack is required. Its current term mini-stroke, doesn't quite fit the bill. Both imply a minor annoyance that may be ignored until you have the time to deal with it. Because a transient ischemic attack (TIA) is frequently followed by a full-blown stroke, something that expresses urgency and danger is required. Getting assessed and treated as soon as possible — ideally within minutes of experiencing a TIA — helps reduce the risk of having a stroke.
A TIA and the most common type of stroke, an ischemic stroke, have very little in common at first. They have the same appearance, feel the same, and are caused by the same thing: a blood clot or a piece of cholesterol-filled plaque restricting the blood flow in a cerebral artery. The duration of a TIA is what distinguishes it from a stroke. A TIA is usually short-lived, lasting only minutes to hours. Stroke symptoms frequently continue for more than 24 hours. The obstruction can result in any of the following:
- numbness or weakness in your face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of your body;
- inability to move your fingers;
- sudden disorientation in your hand, arm, or leg
- difficulty speaking or understanding what others are saying
- difficulty seeing or hearing with one or both eyes or ears
- loss of balance or coordination
The blockage in the instance of a TIA is minor enough or brittle enough that the body's self-healing systems reopen the artery, halting the symptoms. Strokes are caused by larger or more durable obstructions.
Take steps to prevent a stroke.
To help prevent a stroke after a transient ischemic attack, do the following steps:
- Obtain an evaluation as soon as possible, ideally within 12 hours of the onset of symptoms.
- Have access to diagnostic imaging on the same day
- Continue to monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, and other problems with vigilance.
- Smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity are all risk factors to be aware of.
- To prevent the formation of new blood clots, use aspirin, aspirin plus extended-release dipyridamole (Aggrenox), and/or clopidogrel (Plavix).
- To open a narrowed or obstructed carotid artery, consider surgery (carotid endarterectomy) or endovascular therapy (angioplasty with or without a stent).
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