Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): Symptoms, Causes, and More
A stroke is an injury to the brain that happens when blood flow to the brain is
disrupted. The tissue starts to die without blood delivering oxygen to the brain and
the functions that are managed by those brain cells, such as speaking and muscle
control, become defective. There are two classes of stroke, ischemic, and
hemorrhagic. “Nearly all strokes are ischemic and are caused by a blood clot
blocking an artery leading to the brain”, shares, Dr. Sujay Shad, the Best Cardiac
Surgeon in India at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Rajinder Nagar, Delhi. The other class
of stroke is hemorrhagic. This type of stroke is brought on when a blood vessel in
the brain splits or breaks, leading to bleeding which damages the surrounding brain
tissue.
TIA Is Similar To A Stroke
A Mini Stroke or Transient ischemic attack (TIA) is an event that occurs when
blood flow stops to a part of the brain for a short time. TIA is similar to a stroke
and causes the same symptoms, but usually lasts minutes to hours and does not
cause damage to the brain. Healthcare providers assess a patient’s overall picture,
in addition to the span of symptoms, and perform an MRI to check if the patient
had a TIA or a stroke.
A TIA begins the same as an ischemic stroke. The cause and symptoms of TIA and
stroke are the same. However, in TIA, the stoppage is short-term and blood flow
returns naturally on its own. Symptoms of a TIA resolve and normal function
returns in minutes to hours. The medical prognosis for TIA is good since blood flow
rectifies, causing no damage to brain cells. In reverse, the recovery and prognosis
for a stroke differs. This is because blood flow does not resolve, and brain cells
are damaged permanently. Immediate treatment may increase recovery and
improve medical prognosis, but the symptoms of stroke may be long-lasting and
never completely resolve. Recovery from stroke may last for an elongated time and
require continuing therapy.
The National Stroke Association and other organizations suggest using the phrase
BE-FAST as a simplified way to find out if someone is having a stroke or TIA and
what to do.
B - Balance. Are they having a hard time staying upright and sturdy on their feet?
E - Eyes. Look over for eyesight loss.
F - Face. Ask the person to smile; if one side of the face droops, it is a warning
sign.
A - Arms. Ask the person to raise both arms; if one arm has difficulty moving, it
is a warning sign.
S - Speech. Ask the person to speak something; if the speech is mumbled, it is a
warning sign.
T - Time. If a person develops any of the warning signs, it is time to consult a
doctor immediately.
Other symptoms of a TIA may include the following:
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Numbness in the face, arm, or leg, usually only on one side of the body
Difficulty in speaking
Tingling sensation
Confusion
Loss of balance.
TIAs are an early threatening sign that a person is at risk of stroke, so the
symptoms should not be neglected. The risk of stroke is especially high within 48
hours after a TIA. Since the symptoms of stroke and TIA are the same, an
individual should look for medical attention immediately even if the symptoms go
away.
Risks of TIA and stroke include:
● The risk of stroke doubles with each decade after the age of 55 in both men
and women.
● Family history of stroke
● Hypertension
● Diabetes
● Heart disease
● Atrial fibrillation
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Smoking (both tobacco and marijuana)
High blood cholesterol levels
Drug addiction
Overweight
One must follow the following tips to reduce the risk of future TIAs or
strokes:
● Quit smoking.
● Keep an eye on your blood pressure and follow the doctor’s treatment plan if
blood pressure is high.
● Observe your cholesterol levels and follow the doctor’s treatment plan if your
cholesterol level is high. The target low density lipoprotein (LDL) level is less
than 100 mg/dl in patients with stroke or TIA and lower than 70 mg/dl in
patients who also have diabetes.
● Eat a diet high in vegetables, fruits, fish, legumes, poultry, nuts, and low-fat
dairy products.
● Exercise. Participate in 3 to 4, 40-minute sessions of moderate to intense
aerobic exercise per week.
● Wear Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device if diagnosed with sleep
apnea and the doctor recommends use of this device.
If anyone is, experiencing any type of concern related to the heart and associated
organs they can consult Dr. Sujay Shad, best Heart Surgery Doctor in India. He
specializes in performing lifesaving heart surgeries like Heart Transplants,
Coronary Bypasses, HOCM, Aortic Surgery, and Mitral Valve at Best Hospital for
Heart Surgery in India, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, located at Rajinder Nagar, Delhi.