You might be having a transient ischemic attack (TIA), commonly referred to as a “mini stroke.” Don't let the word “mini” fool you: transient ischemic attacks (TIA) are a serious condition warning you that a larger stroke may be coming- and soon.
Mini strokes resolve quickly and lead to a full recovery. However, while mini strokes themselves are not life-threatening events, they are a warning sign of a more serious stroke in the near future. Therefore, patients who experience a TIA should take immediate steps to address any stroke risk factors they may have.
TIAs are often an early warning sign that a person is at risk of stroke. About 1 in 3 people who has a TIA goes on to experience a subsequent stroke. The risk of stroke is especially high within 48 hours after a TIA .
The good news is you absolutely can live a full life after a mini-stroke. Here's how. Like strokes, mini-strokes occur when a blockage occurs in a major artery to your brain, disrupting the flow of blood and oxygen. The difference is in a mini-stroke, the disruption lasts only minutes, so there's no permanent damage.
A transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or "mini stroke" is caused by a temporary disruption in the blood supply to part of the brain. The disruption in blood supply results in a lack of oxygen to the brain.
Call 9-1-1 immediately if any of these signs of stroke appear: Numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg; Confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech; Trouble seeing in one or both eyes; Trouble walking, dizziness, or problems with balance; severe headache with no known cause.
According to research that appeared in Stroke, an American Heart Association journal, middle-aged and older individuals with high levels of stress, depression, and hostility were subject to a significantly higher risk of stroke or TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack, commonly known as “mini-stroke”).
"Mini Strokes" - in 40s and 50s
The likelihood of stroke increases with age, doubling for every decade after age 55, one-third of strokes occur in people younger than 65, with particular risk in young and middle aged women. In fact, women 45 to 54 years of age are more than twice as likely as men to have a stroke.
How long you stay in the hospital depends on your symptoms and the treatment received. The average amount of time to stay in the hospital after a TIA is 2 to 3 days.
Results— At 1 year, 91.5% of hospitalized patients with TIA survived compared with 95.0% expected survival in the general population. After 5 years, observed survival was 13.2% lower than expected in relative terms. By 9 years, observed survival was 20% lower than expected.
Transient ischemic attack and minor stroke are highly predictive of a subsequent disabling stroke within hours or days of the first event. The risk of subsequent stroke after a transient ischemic attack is between 2% and 17% within the first 90 days after the initial event.
Some people might have more than one TIA and it is possible to have several TIAs in a short space of time (for example, several TIAs within a day).
“In most microinfarcts the injury is incomplete,” said Nedergaard. “There is no scar tissue to separate the stroke site from the rest of the brain and the cells that would normally support the neurons may not function properly. As a result, the neurons at the site continue to slowly die like a smoldering fire.
Trouble walking, talking or understanding. Difficulty swallowing. Weakness, tingling or numbness, typically in one side of the body. Confusion.
Most people who have a mini-stroke feel fine after the event. In fact, many people don't even realize they've had one! Symptoms might include weakness, numbness, tingling, vision changes or difficulty speaking. Most symptoms are temporary and dissipate within minutes but sometimes can last up to 24 hours.
What Happens if a Mini Stroke Goes Untreated? A mini stroke may resolve on its own, but it's difficult to know just how serious the circumstances are without a thorough medical workup. Familiarizing yourself with these symptoms will allow you to act quickly, which is crucial for avoiding permanent brain damage.
We review all the brain and blood vessel scans, optimize medications that thin the blood, reduce cholesterol, control blood pressure, and order all necessary outpatient testing before any TIA patient is cleared to leave.”
You will likely have a head CT scan or brain MRI. A stroke may show changes on these tests, but TIAs will not.
"People experiencing a TIA won't die from it, but they will have a high risk of early stroke and also an increased risk of future problems that may reduce life expectancy," said Melina Gattellari, Ph.
A “mini-stroke" may not cause permanent brain damage, but it's a warning sign that you could be at risk for a debilitating—or deadly—stroke. Approximately one in three American adults has experienced a symptom consistent with a “mini-stroke,” sometimes called a transient ischemic attack (TIA).
Blood tests for stroke. There is no blood test that can diagnose a stroke. However, in the hospital, your doctor or nurse may do a series of blood tests to learn the cause of your stroke symptoms: Complete blood count (CBC).
Risk factors for TIA include family history of stroke or TIA, age above 55 years or older, higher risk of TIA in males than females, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, and tobacco smoking. Genetics, race, and imbalance in lipid profile are other risk factors of TIA.
Some people will experience symptoms such as headache, numbness or tingling several days before they have a serious stroke. One study found that 43% of stroke patients experienced mini-stroke symptoms up to a week before they had a major stroke.
You might be having a transient ischemic attack (TIA), commonly referred to as a “mini stroke.” Don't let the word “mini” fool you: transient ischemic attacks (TIA) are a serious condition warning you that a larger stroke may be coming- and soon.