Mini Strokes Just as Serious as a Stroke

TIAs and Strokes

A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs whenblood flow to the brain is interrupted, often due to a blockage in the arteries that help supply the brain with oxygen. Sometimes strokes happen without warning and other times, patients may experience a “mini stroke” or transient ischemic attack (TIA),several days or weeks beforehand. Unlike the term “mini stroke” implies, there is nothing small or insignificant about a TIA, which is why it’s important to call 911 immediately if you think you have experienced one. Just like chest pain is a warning sign of a heart attack, a TIA is a red flag that a full stroke may be imminent.

What is the difference between a TIA and a stroke?

The symptoms of a TIA and a stroke are very similar and include numbness or muscle weakness, trouble speaking or understanding speech, dizziness and loss of balance and vision problems. The difference between the two is that TIA symptoms are usually brief and will stop on their own, whereas stroke symptoms will not stop without medical intervention. In some cases, TIA symptoms may last for up to 24 hours.

Alicia Zha, MD, a neurologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Centerwho conducts telehealth conferences with stroke inpatients at Fairfield Medical Center, said strokes and TIAs both begin the same way – with a blockage of the blood vessel.

“In a stroke, a blood vessel supplying the brain becomes blocked and in a short period of time, damage can occur. The longer the blood vessel is blocked, the more likely damage will be done to the brain,” she explained. “A TIA occurs when the blood vessel reopens spontaneously prior to damage being caused.”

How soon after a TIA can someone experience a stroke?

According to Dr. Zha, TIAs occur prior to 15% of strokes and about a third of people who have a TIA can go on to have a more severe stroke. The highest risk time for patients to have a stroke after a TIA is the first 48 hours and continues to remain high for several weeks.If you think you or someone else is having a stroke or a TIA, it’s important to call 911 right away. BEFAST is an acronym that can help you remember common stroke symptoms: B – Balance (a loss of balance or coordination), E – Eyes (sudden change in vision), F – Face (one side of the face is drooping), A – Arms (one arm drifts downward when raised up), S – Speech (slurred words or trouble speaking), T – Time (call 911 immediately).

Can medical treatment after a TIA prevent a stroke from eventually occurring?

Following a TIA, your provider’s goal is to prevent another TIA or a stroke from occurring, so they will likely order an MRI or CT scan to determine the cause. Your doctor may also order additional testing, such as heart rhythm monitoring, magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) or CT angiography (CTA).

“We are looking at your blood vessels, your heart and other risk factors for stroke, like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes,” Dr. Zha said. “We usually start patients on blood thinners, cholesterol medications and – if the culprit is a narrow blood vessel in the neck – we may even consider procedures to improve blood flow. These interventions can eventually decrease the risk of stroke.”

For additional information about strokes, visit our page at fmchealth.org/services/stroke-care/. If you suspect you are having a stroke, call 9-1-1 immediately.