In the U.S., a stroke occurs every 40 seconds, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This makes strokes as prevalent as they are perilous. While there are various causes of stroke, the most common is a blockage of blood flow to a part of the brain, known as an ischemic stroke. Transient ischemic attacks, or TIAs, which are sometimes referred to as mini-strokes, are also ischemic attacks. However, they only last for a few minutes before blood flow is restored.
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Despite their shorter duration, mini-strokes are just as serious as full-blown strokes, according to Dr. Karishma Patwa, a cardiologist at Manhattan Cardiology in New York. Dr. Patwa, who provides cardiac testing and preventive treatment, shared with Fox News Digital the most crucial information on identification and prevention of mini-strokes. She emphasizes that “every second without oxygen increases the risk of serious and permanent brain damage” and urges individuals to treat TIAs with the same urgency as strokes.
Causes of a Mini-Stroke
There are several potential causes for a TIA. A clot can form in the brain itself, or a clot from another part of the body can travel through the bloodstream until it lodges in the brain. To effectively treat a TIA and prevent future strokes, doctors must determine the exact cause of the attack. The longer the delay in examination, the more difficult it becomes to identify the cause, resulting in a diagnosis of cryptogenic TIA, meaning a TIA of unknown origin.
Once a person has experienced a mini-stroke, the risk of a subsequent stroke event is between 5% and 10% within the first seven days. This risk rises to about 15% in the first month and up to 35% over a patient’s lifetime. Early recognition and treatment of a TIA are therefore of utmost importance in order to prevent more severe complications.
Symptoms of Transient Ischemic Attack
The symptoms of a TIA are equivalent to those of a stroke. They may include numbness, weakness, or paralysis on one side of the body, slurred speech, difficulty understanding others, confusion, double vision, loss of coordination or balance, dizziness, intense headache, memory loss, and loss of consciousness. These symptoms typically appear suddenly and without an obvious cause. Although a TIA’s symptoms usually subside within a day, sometimes lasting only minutes or seconds, it should still be treated as a medical emergency.
Dr. Patwa stresses the importance of swift action once symptoms arise. “There’s no way to know whether an ischemic attack will be transient,” she explains. “Do not wait to find out—call 911 immediately.”
Act ‘FAST’
Dr. Patwa recommends using the FAST acronym, a tool commonly employed when identifying stroke or TIA symptoms:
- Face: Look for facial drooping, especially on one side.
- Arms: Check for arm weakness or drifting downward.
- Speech: Assess for difficulty speaking or slurred speech.
- Time: If a TIA is suspected, call 911 without delay.
Additionally, Dr. Patwa advises against driving after experiencing a TIA. “Calling 911 and requesting an ambulance would be the best course of action, and if that’s not possible, the closest responsible adult should drive the person to the emergency room,” she says.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Prompt diagnosis and aggressive treatment are crucial for improving outcomes in TIA cases. People who delay or refuse examination and treatment are much more likely to experience a stroke within the following 90 days. A TIA is typically diagnosed through a physical and neurological examination, medical history assessment, and imaging tests such as an MRI, CT scan, or X-ray. Treatment plans may involve medication, stents, angioplasty, or surgical procedures, depending on the diagnostic findings.
Tips for Preventing Mini-Strokes
There are steps individuals can take to prevent TIAs and subsequent strokes:
- Quit smoking or avoid starting in the first place.
- Limit alcohol consumption.
- Manage blood pressure and cholesterol.
- Maintain a healthy weight and adhere to a wholesome diet, exercise routine, and sleep schedule.
- Undergo annual physical examinations.
People at risk for stroke or coronary artery disease, such as the elderly, smokers, and patients with diabetes, hypertension, or high cholesterol, have a higher TIA risk. Additionally, individuals who have previously experienced a TIA or stroke are at an increased risk.
Dr. Patwa emphasizes that “a TIA is not a one-time event” and warns that it serves as a warning sign for a future stroke. Therefore, anyone suspected of experiencing a TIA should seek immediate medical attention.
This story was written by Melissa Rudy, the health editor and a member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital.
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