What Causes Mini Strokes?

You have a wonderful moment with your friends and family. However, the next minute you feel that you can’t move one of your arms. You try to look at yourself in the mirror, and you are terrified. It looks like half of your face is dropping down.

The mentioned above are several of the signs that you have a stroke. It is a severe condition and requires immediate medical attention because it can cause a lasting effect on your overall health. 

Nevertheless, there is a chance that you will not experience the most common type of stroke. You can have a transient ischemic attack or TIA. This condition is commonly referred to as a “mini-stroke.”

The word “mini” doesn’t mean that it is not dangerous for your health. It is the complete opposite. Transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a severe condition that foreshadows a more significant stroke that may be coming soon. This article will explain what causes a mini-stroke, what the person can do, and why going to the hospital is essential. 

What causes a TIA?

The factors that raise the possibility of having a mini-stroke: 

• High arterial pressure
• Diabetes 
• Cigarette smoking 
• Obesity 
• Increased cholesterol levels 
• Excessive alcohol use 
• Sedentary kind of life

People need to be aware of what triggers a mini-stroke. A buildup of calcium, fat, cholesterol and other chemicals is one of the main causes of arterial narration. Transient ischemic attacks, according to neurologists, occur when a blood clot or narrowed artery stops blood from getting to the brain. 

Transitory ischemia attack has a short duration, and its effects disappear after an hour. Many people make a grave mistake when they decide to ignore it and avoid the doctor. The primary reason is that a TIA only acts as a warning sign that a severe stroke may occur. 

The Signs of TIA

The transient ischemic attack can occur very fast. The person feels excellent one minute and shortly after has problems moving one side of his or her body or can’t speak properly. Besides, the symptoms will repeat themselves several times in a brief period.

The signs of a TIA involve:

• Sudden weakness affecting the face, arm, or leg on one side of the body.
• Disturbed or trouble speaking or comprehending.
• Problems with seeing in one or both eyes.
• The decline of balance or coordination.

The key element during TIA is acting immediately. The stroke can occur after the transient ischemic attack. It happens within several hours or days after the initial symptoms. Hospitals possess effective treatments that will prevent a stroke from happening, but it is essential to start the procedures as soon as possible. 

How to Identify the TIA?

The medical industry likes to provide people with acronyms, and it has the appropriate acronym for transient ischemic attacks. Use the FAST to check if you have the TIA. 

• F — Face: Does your face feel lopsided, or do you have problems smiling?
• A — Arm: Is it difficult to move one of your arms, or does it drift downward?
• S — Speech: Does your speech feel slurred or strange, or are you having trouble repeating simple phrases?
• T — Time: If you noticed some of these symptoms, immediately call 911. It is essential to bring you to the hospital as soon as possible.

The Ways to Prevent Mini-Stroke

If the person researches what causes mini-strokes, they will discover that 90 percent are caused by plaque-filled blood vessels blocking the blood flow to the brain or by a blood clot that travels from other parts of your body — like the heart — to the brain. 

The above mentioned can be caused by: 

• Smoking 
• A buildup of high amounts of certain fats and cholesterol in the blood
• High blood pressure
• High blood sugar levels

The person can decrease their risk of having a stroke and TIA by maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Eating healthy food and hitting the gym can significantly lower the chances of stroke. Besides that, it will make you feel amazing and look great. Take care of yourself now, so you will not develop thermal illnesses further in your life. 

In conclusion, we wish to emphasize that self-care considerably reduces your risk of stroke and transient ischemic attack. As a result, make an effort to eat well and exercise frequently. Your mental capacity will improve, you’ll look fantastic, and there’s less possibility of getting a TIA attack.

FAQs 

• Can you live with a TIA?

The symptoms of a TIA are the same as those of a stroke. But they disappear entirely after less than 24 hours. After a mini-stroke, you can live your everyday life.

• How dangerous is a mini-stroke?

A TIA is quite severe, even though the symptoms may not persist very long. It implies troubles connected to a high risk of stroke. The only difference between a TIA and a stroke is the symptoms of a TIA only persist for 24 hours.

• What is the life expectancy after a TIA?

91.5% of patients and 95% of the general population survived a year following a mini-stroke. Compared to 67.2% of the TIA group, only 77.4% of the general population survived five years following a mini-stroke.

• Can stress cause mini strokes?

According to a study, stress is linked to a 59% higher risk of suffering a stroke or transient ischemic attack.  

• Can a TIA be cured?

The symptoms of a transient ischemic attack go away after a few minutes or hours. However, you’ll need the care to help avoid another TIA or a major stroke from happening in the future.