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INFORMATION TO TAKE HOMEWhat you need to know about ministrokes or TIAA ministroke, which is also called a transient ischemic attack (or TIA for short), happens when blood flow to the brain is interrupted for a few minutes. A TIA is very similar to a stroke, but it ends much sooner. What are the symptoms of a TIA?There is no such thing as a "typical" TIA. The symptoms can vary greatly, even in the same person. You may experience • Weakness or numbness in an arm or leg or on your face. This sensation may be one-sided. • Confusion • Difficulty talking • Difficulty understanding what someone is saying to you • Vision problems in one or both eyes • Trouble walking • Dizziness • Loss of balance or coordination. What should I do?It's important to understand that these symptoms can be caused by other conditions like migraine or even anxiety. But you won't know until you get medical help. If you experience these symptoms, call your practitioner or go to an emergency department as soon as possible. The symptoms stopped quickly. Why should I be concerned?TIAs or ministrokes do end promptly—sometimes in as little as a few minutes. But TIAs are a warning sign that you may be at risk for something worse—a stroke. When you have a stroke, blood flow to the brain is interrupted for a much longer period, and the brain damage can be permanent. Even if your "spell" ends before you get in touch with a practitioner, be sure to get medical help. Your next spell could be a stroke. What kind of tests will I have?Your practitioner, or the clinician in the emergency department, will do a physical examination, as well as some lab tests that may reveal another cause for the spell. You may have an electrocardiogram to determine if a heart beat irregularity might have caused a TIA. Your clinician may also order a CT or an MRI scan of your head and neck to see if the blood vessels are blocked, a condition that could cause a TIA. Even if the spell is over, these tests may reveal some clues to what was actually happening while you were experiencing symptoms. Is there a treatment for TIAs?If you have had a TIA, your practitioner may prescribe one or more medications. The goal is to keep you from having another TIA and, most important, to prevent a stroke. Your practitioner may direct you to take aspirin or another similar medication. Drugs to prevent blood clots may also be a part of your treatment. You may be interested to know that the risk factors for TIAs are the same as those for heart disease and stroke. If you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels, you should be taking medicines for these conditions. If you smoke, stop. Do you drink more than 2 drinks a day (man) or more than 1 drink a day (woman) of alcohol? If so, you need to cut back to reduce your stroke risk. What should I do if I have another TIA?Call your practitioner right away if you have another spell. You may need more medication or a different product. Do not ignore subsequent TIAs.
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