What to do if you think you had a mini stroke?

If a TIA is suspected, you should be offered aspirin to take straight away. This helps to prevent a stroke. Even if the symptoms disappear while you're waiting for an ambulance to arrive, you still need to be assessed in hospital. You should be referred to see a specialist within 24 hours of the onset of your symptoms.

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How do I know if I just had a mini stroke?

The signs and symptoms of a TIA resemble those found early in a stroke and may include sudden onset of: Weakness, numbness or paralysis in the face, arm or leg, typically on one side of the body. Slurred or garbled speech or difficulty understanding others. Blindness in one or both eyes or double vision.

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What happens if a mini stroke goes untreated?

These brief episodes are transient ischemic attacks (TIA), sometimes called “mini-strokes.” They still should be taken seriously, because they tend to be signs of underlying serious conditions that can lead to a full stroke, even possibly in the few days following a TIA event if not evaluated and treated for a TIA.

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What should I do if I think I'm having a mini stroke?

If you think you or someone you are with is having a TIA or stroke, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. If it's a stroke, getting to the hospital as soon as possible to be evaluated and potentially receiving a clot-busting drug can greatly reduce the damage caused by a stroke.

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Can you tell if you had a mini stroke in the past?

Usually, a silent stroke is discovered unexpectedly on a brain CT or brain MRI. These imaging tests can easily distinguish past strokes from recent strokes.

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Making sure minor stroke stays that way

43 related questions found

Can you have a small stroke and not realize it?

Yes, you can have a stroke and not know it. A stroke's effects can be undetectable if the stroke is small or if the tissue damaged does not serve a critical function. Evidence of the stroke would show on a CT scan or an MRI of the brain, but it might not produce symptoms.

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What does a TIA feel like in your head?

dizziness. confusion. difficulty understanding what others are saying. problems with balance and co-ordination.

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Should you go to the hospital for a mini-stroke?

If you suspect that you or someone that you know is having a stroke or TIA, go to the hospital immediately, even if the symptoms are minor,” Streib said. “You cannot always accurately predict if a person will get better or worse and you want all treatment options readily available.”

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What are the 4 silent signs of a stroke?

Silent Stroke Symptoms
  • Sudden lack of balance.
  • Temporary loss of basic muscle movement (bladder included)
  • Slight memory loss.
  • Sudden changes in mood or personality.
  • Issues with cognitive skills and ability.

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What is a pre stroke?

What is Pre-Stroke? Sometimes, there is a smaller, temporary clot that is quickly resolved, though the symptoms will be similar thanks to the effect such clots have on the brain. This is known as a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) or “Pre-Stroke,” and often points to a more life-threatening attack on its way.

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Should I go to the doctor after a mini-stroke?

You should be referred to see a specialist within 24 hours of the onset of your symptoms. A TIA is a warning sign that you may be at risk of having a full stroke in the near future, and an assessment can help doctors determine the best way to reduce the chances of that happening.

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What happens in the first 3 days after a stroke?

During the first few days after your stroke, you might be very tired and need to recover from the initial event. Meanwhile, your team will identify the type of stroke, where it occurred, the type and amount of damage, and the effects. They may perform more tests and blood work.

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Can stress cause mini-strokes?

Chronic stress can indirectly cause a stroke or TIA (transient ischemic attack or mini stroke). For instance, chronic stress can lead to high blood pressure, which is a known risk factor for stroke and heart disease. Stress can also cause inflammation in the arteries all over the body.

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What is the life expectancy after a mini-stroke?

A person's life expectancy after a mini stroke reduces by around 4% in the first year following the attack in comparison to people who have not had one. In the following 9 years, life expectancy reduces by 20%. These statistics come from a 2019 review .

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Is a mini-stroke a big deal?

You might feel like you're fine afterwards, but it's vital to get medical help right away. Having a TIA is a warning that you are at risk of having a stroke. The risk is greatest in the first days and weeks after a TIA.

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How does a mini-stroke start?

A transient ischaemic attack (TIA), or mini stroke, happens when there is 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. This can cause sudden symptoms like those of a stroke.

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What happens days before a stroke?

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.

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What are the 5 warning signs of a stroke in a woman?

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.

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Can drinking water help prevent a stroke?

Drink a lot of water: You should drink at least five glasses of water per day, and this will reduce your risk of stroke by 53%, according to a recent study by Loma Linda University.

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Can a blood test show a mini-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).

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Do blood thinners prevent TIA?

Benefits and risks of blood-thinning medication

Taking blood-thinning medication is often one of the main ways you can reduce your risk of a stroke if you have had a stroke or TIA, or have a heart condition.

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Does a mini-stroke show up on CT scan?

Tests will be done to rule out a stroke or other disorders that may cause the symptoms: You will likely have a head CT scan or brain MRI. A stroke may show changes on these tests, but TIAs will not.

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Can I drive after a TIA?

You must stop driving for at least 1 month after a transient ischaemic attack ( TIA ) or mini-stroke. This includes amaurosis fugax or retinal artery fugax. You can restart only when your doctor tells you it is safe.

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Can dehydration cause a TIA?

Those who are severely dehydrated could faint or temporarily lose consciousness. If you have other medical conditions, those may worsen if you are dehydrated. Some studies have also shown a connection between dehydration and the body's ability to recover from transient ischemic attack (TIA or mini-stroke).

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How long should you rest after a TIA?

Although a TIA should not have a long-term impact on your daily activities, you must stop driving immediately. If your doctor is happy that you have made a good recovery and there are no lasting effects after 1 month, you can start driving again.

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