Symptoms of a Mini-Stroke

A mini-stroke if also known as a TIA (transient ischemic attack). It is a warning sign of a full-blown stroke that can cause permanent disability.
The symptoms can be subtle, but should never be disregarded.
Minimizing your risk of future stroke is important. If you think you've had a mini-stroke, or TIA, obtain an evaluation from your doctor immediately.
Know the symptoms so you can seek aggressive treatment and prevention of permanent brain damage from a fully developed stroke.

Significance

• A mini-stroke doesn't cause brain damage. The effects are transient and might be disregarded as nothing to worry about. Conversely, they can be frightening, prompting a call to action, depending on the severity.
  The effects of mini-stroke are not readily apparent because they can disappear quickly, but it's a warning sign of things to come. Symptoms might only last for one to five minutes.
  It's still important to be evaluated. Your doctor will look for underlying causes that can be treated, minimizing your risks of complications.
  It's important to start a daily regimen of medication and lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of stroke.

Types

• A mini-stroke can occur as the result of blocked blood flow to the brain. Plaque build-up from narrowing of the blood vessels (atheroclerosis), promotes the formation of blood clots that can travel to the brain. It's the same mechanism that causes heart attack.
  Disturbances of heart rhythm cause stagnation of blood in the heart chambers as the heart beats out of rhythm. Blood that is not returned to the body to circulate can clot.
  A blood clot is called a thrombus. When it travels from one area of the body to another it is called an embolus, and can lead to mini-stroke.
  Anemia, low blood pressure, and injury to the blood vessels from rupture or trauma can also cause mini-stroke as the result of bleeding that also disrupts blood flow.
  High blood pressure can weaken the blood vessels, promoting aneurysm, resulting in bleeding. Contributing factors include clotting disorders. Sickle cell disease increases the chances for a mini-stroke. Bacterial infections can also contribute.

Size

• Mini-strokes can last for a minute, or up to a day. The brain is large and the symptoms depend on the area of the brain affected. A lack of blood flow to the base of the brain (from narrowing of vertebral arteries) might only cause dizziness.
  If blood flow is disrupted to a large area of the brain, the symptoms are more severe.
  Mini-strokes resolve, and symptoms can seem very minor. Not all mini-strokes are equal.

Identification

• Symptoms of mini-stroke can include dizziness, lack of coordination and balance, visual disturbances, numbness or tingling in the face, hands, arms or legs, or paralysis on either side of the body. Sudden weakness, difficulty speaking and understanding others are warning signs that might pass quickly, but should not be disregarded. Any occurrence of these listed symptoms warrant investigation from your physician.
  The symptoms depend on the area of the brain experiencing reduced blood flow.

Prevention/Solution

• It's important to control high blood pressure to prevent mini-stroke. Aggressive treatment to keep cholesterol levels under control are also needed.
  Smoking is a risk factor--ask your doctor for help with smoking cessation. Regular exercise improves the integrity of blood vessels, reducing inflammation and the risk of atherosclerosis. Speak with your doctor about an exercise program.
  Practice good dietary habit. Incorporate several serving of fruits and vegetables into your diet, and eat them throughout the day.
  Most mini-strokes resolve by the time an individual seeks treatment. It's still important to call 911 at the first sign of symptoms. Don't wait--there's no way to know if your symptoms will evolve into a full blow stroke. If the symptoms are very brief, contact your health care provider for an examination and treatment as soon as feasible.
  A complete blood count (CBC), CT scan, and cholesterol check, as well as EKG can help your doctor determine if you are at risk for development of a stroke. Treatments may include cholesterol lowering medication, blood thinners such as clopidrogel, aggrenox, aspirin or warfarin.
  Once your doctor determines your risk factors, targeted treatment can provide you with years of vitality and quality of life--don't take symptoms of a mini-stroke lightly.