Contents:
- Medical Video: Minor stroke captured on video: Watch as it happens
- What are the symptoms of a momentary ischemic attack?
- What are the causes and factors that trigger momentary ischemic attacks?
- How do doctors diagnose momentary ischemic attacks?
- If I have experienced TIA, how can I prevent a stroke in the future?
Medical Video: Minor stroke captured on video: Watch as it happens
A moment's alias ischemic attack transient ischemic attack (TIA), also known as a mini stroke, is when blood stops flowing to the brain in a short time. However, this mini stroke does not kill brain cells as strokes do. The condition of the mini stroke causes symptoms that resemble stroke sufferers. This condition is often the beginning of a real stroke in the future.
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), momentary ischemic attacks can reduce your life expectancy by up to 20 percent. Immediate medical attention is needed to help prevent the risk of stroke.
What are the symptoms of a momentary ischemic attack?
Identifying symptoms of a momentary ischemic attack is indeed not easy. The symptoms are similar to strokes, but many people make the mistake of not seeking medical attention because the symptoms are not too severe and do not last long. If a stroke can last for one to two days, a transient ischemic attack can last from one to 24 hours at a time.
Some common signs of momentary ischemic attacks include:
- Sudden increase in blood pressure
- Muscle weakness
- Numbness in the hands or feet
- Dizzy
- Sudden fatigue
- Unconsciousness
- Confusion
- Momentary memory loss
- Body tingling
- Personality change
- Difficulty talking
- Lack of balance
- Vision problems
Many of these symptoms are experienced by stroke patients. Always contact an emergency department if you suspect you or the person closest to you has experienced a momentary ischemic attack or stroke.
What are the causes and factors that trigger momentary ischemic attacks?
Hypertension (high blood pressure) is the most common cause of mini strokes. Hypertension is also a major cause of stroke, so instantaneous ischemic attacks are often a warning of an actual stroke. It is important to control your blood pressure immediately to prevent future transient ischemic attacks and strokes.
Other common causes and risk factors include:
- Blood clots
- Damage to blood vessels
- Narrow blood vessels around the brain
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
- Descent
According to the AHA, people aged 65 years and older are at a higher risk of death from stroke after experiencing a momentary ischemic attack.
How do doctors diagnose momentary ischemic attacks?
Momentary ischemic attack conditions must get emergency medical help. The doctor will run a test to confirm whether you experience a momentary ischemic attack. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans can provide clues about what causes a momentary ischemic attack correctly. For example, it could be caused by an artery that is blocked in the heart or a blood clot in the neck.
If your doctor suspects a problem with your heart, he can order an echocardiogram to get a better picture of the suspected area. It is important to study the causes of momentary ischemic attacks so that you and your doctor can work to prevent future ischemic attacks and strokes in the future.
After you have been evaluated in an emergency room, you need to visit your primary doctor to plan treatment. You may be referred to a specialist, but this depends on the exact cause of your mini stroke.
If I have experienced TIA, how can I prevent a stroke in the future?
Momentary ischemic attack conditions generally do not cause permanent brain damage. However, patients should not underestimate momentary ischemic attacks. Momentary ischemic attacks often indicate underlying health problems that can cause real strokes in the future. More than 10 percent of TIA patients also have strokes within three months. It is important to treat mini strokes seriously to prevent possible life-threatening diseases.
Treatment will also help to prevent future strokes. General prevention plans include:
- Treatment for controlling high blood pressure
- Cholesterol medication
- Control blood sugar in diabetic patients
- Aspirin to prevent blood clots
- Surgery for blocked arteries in the neck
If your doctor prescribes medication, you may need to use it for a long period of time to prevent a stroke. Regular follow-up examinations to the doctor are also needed to monitor your condition. Lifestyle changes, such as a healthy diet and exercise, can also complement a treatment plan and prevent stroke.
