T.I.A. What Is A Transient Ischemic Attack or Mini-Stroke?

Transient Ischemic Attack, (T.I.A or Mini-Stroke) is defined as Transient focal neurological deficit, due to a temporary interruption of blood supply to the brain, with no consequent injury to the brain.

TIA, is considered, the warning sign of a major debilitating stroke in the future.

A third of persons with TIA, usually, go on to have a stroke.

SYMPTOMS OF TIA.
TIA symptoms last 5-60 minutes, and they may include the following:

Sudden onset of weakness in one part of the body.
Sudden loss of sensation in one part of the body.
Sudden loss of speech
Sudden slowed or slurred speech
Sudden loss of vision
Sudden inability to walk
TIAs are medical emergencies requiring immediate neuroimaging, with either an MRI, or CT Scan of the brain.

TIAs serve as a warning sign of major stroke within 2-90 days.

Doctors use an ABCD score, to determine a risk of a stroke. Hospitalization is required if the stroke score is 3 or more., to enable rapid evaluation and treatment done.

ABDC STROKE SCORE:
Factors score
Age, greater than 60 years 1
Blood Pressure greater than 140/90 1
Focal weakness during the TIA 2
Speech impaired, no weakness 1
Symptoms lasted 60 minutes or more 2
Symptoms lasted 10-59 minutes 1
Person has Diabetes 1
The 48hour stroke risk based on the score is as follows:

Score 0-1 1%
Score 2-3 1.3%
Score 4-5 4.1%
Score 6-7 8.1%
All persons with TIA require expedited evaluation of the brain, the carotid arteries, and the heart.

Doctors look for the caliber of the Carotid arteries, whether the arteries have normal lumen or the lumen has been severely narrowed, by cholesterol plaques.

They may do a Carotid Ultrasound or Carotid Angiography or MRI for this evaluation.

To evaluate the heart, doctors do two tests.
1.) An Electrocardiogram (E.K.G), looking for Atrial Fibrillation, and

2.) Echocardiogram, (the sonogram of the heart), looking for blood clots in the heart ventricles.

MANAGEMENT
Management is geared towards stroke prevention.
Surgery may be done if the TIA is due to blockage in the carotid arteries.

Atrial fibrillations are treated with medications and anticoagulants.

All pre-existing medical conditions like Diabetes, High cholesterol, High Blood Pressure are treated aggressively to achieve optimal numbers/levels.

Lifeclass changes are necessary to prevent a future stroke.

Exercise daily for about 1 hour each day.
If you are overweight, adopt weight improvement lifeclass and dietary programs.

Eat mainly plant based diet, and avoid animal based dietary menu.

T.I.A is nature's way of warning about a debilitating stroke in the near future.

The choice of a stroke is yours.