A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a temporary disorder, a "mini-stroke", during which the blood supply to the brain is momentarily blocked. The symptoms of TIA are the same as those of a stroke, but they are not permanent and disappear within a few minutes or an hour at most. However, it is a serious episode that increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. To avoid stroke after a transient ischemic attack, you need to make specific lifestyle changes and work with your doctor to develop drug therapy.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Recognizing Transient Ischemic Attack
Step 1. Recognize the severity of the condition
TIA and stroke are medical emergencies; although the transient ischemic attack resolves on its own, it is important to diagnose and treat it as soon as possible. Early diagnosis can reduce the chances of having a stroke, which has far more serious consequences.
The early risk of a stroke is around 17% during the 90 days following a TIA
Step 2. Go to the emergency room immediately if you experience symptoms
TIA shows signs and symptoms very similar to those of stroke, if not identical. However, while the transient ischemic attack lasts only a few minutes and its symptoms resolve within an hour without medical intervention, the stroke must be treated in the hospital. If you suffer from a TIA, the chances are high that the situation will evolve into a disabling stroke over the next few hours or days. You should therefore go to the emergency room as soon as you show symptoms.
Step 3. Look for sudden weakness in the limbs
With these vascular and neurological problems, patients may lose coordination, be unable to walk, or stand still. It may also be impossible to raise both arms above your head. Symptoms that affect the limbs usually affect only one side of the body.
- If you suspect a TIA, ask the patient to try and grab small and large objects. If she has a transient ischemic attack, she won't have enough coordination to do it.
- Ask him to write something down so you can check for the loss of fine motor skills control.
Step 4. Don't ignore the sudden intense headache
There are two types of stroke, ischemic and hemorrhagic, which cause this pain. When it comes to ischemic disease, oxygenated blood gets stuck in the brain due to an occluded blood vessel. During a hemorrhagic stroke, the blood vessel bursts releasing blood onto the brain tissue. In both cases the brain reacts with an inflammatory response which, together with necrosis, causes a severe headache.
Step 5. Pay attention to any changes in vision
The retinal nerve connects the eye to the brain. If the same event that causes headache symptoms - blockage of blood flow or bleeding - occurs near this nerve, vision is impaired. You may complain of diplopia (double vision) or loss of vision in one or both eyes.
Step 6. Check for confusion and speech problems
These disorders are caused by poor delivery of oxygen to the area of the brain that controls the ability to speak and understand. People with TIA or stroke have a hard time speaking or understanding what is being said to them. In addition to the loss of these skills, patients appear confused and panic as soon as they realize they cannot speak or understand a speech.
Step 7. Memorize the acronym "FAST"
It is an acronym that derives from the English terms F.ace (face), TOrms (arms), S.peech (language) e T.ime (time) and which helps healthcare professionals remember and quickly identify symptoms of TIA and stroke. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment often lead to a more favorable prognosis.
- Face: Are the muscles of the face sagging? Ask the victim to smile to see if one side of the face is sagging.
- Arms: Stroke sufferers may not be able to raise their arms above their heads identically. One side may start to fall down or the patient may not be able to lift it completely.
- Language: During a stroke, the person may be unable to speak or understand what is being said. She may appear confused or frightened by this sudden inability.
- Time: Transient ischemic attack or stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. Do not delay to see if the symptoms go away spontaneously. Call the ambulance, the longer you wait, the worse the irreversible damage will be.
Part 2 of 2: Preventing Stroke After a Transient Ischemic Attack
Step 1. Ask for a cardiology evaluation
After suffering from TIA, your doctor must immediately determine if you have heart problems to assess your risk of stroke. One of the major factors leading to this event is "atrial fibrillation". Patients who suffer from it have an irregular and rapid heartbeat; they often feel faint and have difficulty breathing due to poor blood circulation.
Step 2. Talk to your doctor about preventative drug therapy
If you have an abnormal heart rate after a TIA episode, you are at risk for thrombosis, which in turn can lead to stroke. Your doctor may prescribe blood thinners, such as warfarin (Coumadin) or aspirin, as a long-term preventative therapy against blood clots. Possible antiplatelet drugs include clopidogrel, ticlopidine and dipyridamole.
Step 3. If your doctor sees fit, undergo surgery
Based on your assessment, your doctor may recommend a procedure to reduce your risk of stroke. Imaging studies usually show a vascular obstruction that can be treated with the procedures described below.
- An endarterectomy or angioplasty to open blocked carotid arteries.
- An intra-arterial thrombolysis to break up small blood clots in the brain.
Step 4. Maintain proper blood pressure
Hypertension increases the pressure on the arterial walls causing oozing or even rupture of the walls with consequent stroke. Your doctor will prescribe medications to control this factor and you will need to take them according to their directions. You will also need to come to regular checkups to determine the effectiveness of the therapy. In addition to taking medications, you will need to make the following lifestyle changes:
- Reduce Stress: Hormones secreted in response to stress increase blood pressure.
- Sleep: Try to get at least 8 hours of rest a night. Sleep deprivation increases the production of stress-related hormones, negatively interferes with neurological health, and increases the risk of gaining weight.
- Control your weight: the heart has to do more work to pump the heart into an overweight body; as a result, blood pressure rises.
- Alcohol: An excess of alcoholic beverages causes liver damage and leads to hypertension.
Step 5. Monitor your blood sugar
If you have diabetes or high blood sugar, the smaller blood vessels (capillaries) can be damaged, as can the kidneys. Kidney function is critical in controlling blood pressure. By managing diabetes you can improve kidney health and reduce the chances of suffering from hypertension - a risk factor for stroke.
Step 6. Stop smoking
This habit increases the chances of having a stroke in both active smokers and those exposed to secondhand smoke. It also increases the formation of blood clots, thickens the blood and promotes the accumulation of plaques in the arteries. Check with your doctor for ways to quit smoking or ask about medications that can help you achieve this. You can also join a support group or participate in programs organized by the SerT.
- Be kind to yourself in case you succumb to temptation and smoke a few times before quitting for good.
- Continue to strive towards the final goal and overcome moments of crisis.
Step 7. Manage your body weight
A body mass index (BMI) of 31 or higher indicates a state of obesity. It is an independent risk factor for congestive heart failure, premature death and hypertension. Although obesity is not in itself a direct cause of stroke, there is a clear (albeit complex) link between overweight and this condition.
Step 8. Exercise regularly as advised by your doctor
If your doctor thinks you're not ready for a workout yet, don't strain your heart or risk a stroke or injury. However, when your doctor allows it, you should exercise at least 30 minutes a day. Physical activity has been shown to be effective in reducing stroke-related risk factors.
Aerobic activities such as jogging, walking, and swimming are perfect for lowering blood pressure. Avoid high-intensity exercises, such as weight lifting or sprinting, which cause hypertensive spikes
Step 9. Take your medications as prescribed
Depending on the type of drug therapy you may need to take medicine for the rest of your life. Since it is not possible to sense the pressure rising or to tell if the body needs antiplatelet drugs, you should never stop therapy just because "you are now feeling well". Instead, trust your doctor's tests to assess your blood pressure and clotting. His interpretation of the results (and not your feelings) will let you know if you still need the medication.
Advice
- Take the medications as directed and strictly adhere to the dosage. Never stop therapy without first discussing this with your doctor. Many medicines have to follow a tapering protocol to avoid negative repercussions. The doctor will tell you what is the best course of action.
- Make the lifestyle changes that are possible for you to reduce the risk of a disabling stroke following a TIA episode.
