A mini stroke is a temporary interruption of blood flow to part of the brain. This disrupts the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to brain cells, leading to symptoms such as a drooping face or weakness on one side of the body. Unlike a full-blown stroke, the blockage usually resolves in minutes or hours and doesn’t cause permanent damage. But the effects can be frightening and life-changing. It’s important to know the signs so you can act fast if someone close to you experiences them.
The technical name for a mini stroke is a transient ischemic attack (TIA), but many people don’t realize it’s a medical emergency and call 911 too late. One reason is that TIA symptoms don’t last long—they usually only affect the affected area of the brain and then quickly go away. Another reason is that the lack of pain makes some people feel they can ignore them or dismiss them as something they will get over, especially if they think it’s a flu-like illness. A third reason is that, because a TIA doesn’t leave behind any evidence on MRI scans or CT images, doctors don’t always treat it like a real stroke.
But getting the help you need immediately is crucial, because a TIA is a sign that a full-blown stroke is likely on its way. In fact, the same risk factors that increase your chance of having a stroke also increase your chances of having a TIA. These include high blood pressure, which can damage the inner walls of your arteries and lead to the buildup of plaque called atherosclerosis; diabetes, which can cause your blood vessels to narrow; smoking; heart disease, including abnormal heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation; and being overweight or obese.
You can reduce your risk of having a TIA and a full-blown stroke by controlling the risk factors you can, such as keeping your blood pressure under control, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly. In addition to a regular health care regimen, you should ask your doctor about medications that can help prevent blood clots and reduce cholesterol.
