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Mini Stroke Prevention

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) is a mini stroke. Although the symptoms of a TIA are similar to a stroke, it is not technically a stroke. With a stroke, you risk permanent brain damage if your blood flow remains blocked. However, TIA symptoms can last for minutes and occur when the blood flow to your brain is reduced or blocked. After a TIA, your risk for another episode can increase or you can have a possible stroke.

  1. Therapy

    • Use therapy to prevent mini strokes. Your doctor may prescribe statin drugs to lower your cholesterol, even if your current levels are normal. The statins, such as fluvastatin, rosuvastatin or atorvastatin, block enzyme in the liver that produces cholesterol.

      If you have high blood pressure, your doctor can recommend therapy to lower it. For example, your doctor may want your high blood pressure to be at 120/80. However, your doctor can still prescribe high blood pressure if your blood pressure is normal if it will help prevent another TIA. So you may take bata-blockers, ARB drugs, alpha-blockers or an ACE inhibitor.

      Another therapy is anti-platelet therapy. If you weren't taking aspirin before your TIA occurred, your doctors may start you on a daily dose. If you were taking aspirin, however, you may have another drug added like diyridamole. Clopidogrel or Plavix are substitute therapies if you can't tolerate aspirin.

    Lifestyle Habits

    • Change your lifestyle habits to avoid another TIA. Decrease your alcohol intake. For instance, one drink women can safely have one drink, while men should strive for two or fewer. Lose weight if you're obese or overweight, ideally using a combination of moderate exercise, diet or counseling. If you have any disabilities, your counselor can design a exercise program to suit you. And if you smoke, quit.

    Follow-up

    • Know the symptoms of a mini-stroke to prevent another one. Seek immediate treatment if you experience any sudden mini-stroke symptoms. The symptoms of TIA include muscle weakness of the arm, face or leg, problems with eyesight, difficulty swallowing, lack of coordination, dizziness, mood changes or sleepiness. Other symptoms include numbness, change in alertness or difficulty reading or writing.

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