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Symptoms of a mini strokeThe symptoms of a mini stroke are caused by a temporary lack of blood supply to the brain. Symptoms usually resolve fairly rapidly as the blood supply is restored by either collateral flow or resolution of the initial blockage. A mini stroke is also known as a transient ischemic attack or TIA. It is grouped under the category of a cerebrovascular accident that includes stroke, transient ischemic attack or bleeding involving the brain. A transient ischemic attack is so named because of its transient nature, with symptoms lasting, by definition, for less than 24 hours.
Symptoms of a mini strokeThe symptoms of a mini stroke are often very difficult to identify initially as they often include non-specific symptoms that include confusion, weakness and slurred speech which may occur in many other medical conditions. These may also resolve fairly rapidly preventing a medical professional from identifying them when they first occur. Therefore it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible if you suspect that someone is having a mini stroke. Some of the main symptoms of a transient ischemic attack include:
These symptoms are related to the lack of blood supply to a specific area of the brain. Therefore depending on what area of the brain is affected the symptoms may also vary. The duration of a mini stroke does not last for more than 24 hours and if the symptoms continue then it is classified as a more serious type of cerebrovascular accident, known as a stroke. Investigations for a mini strokeInvestigations for a stroke or mini stroke largely rely on imaging of the head through a CT scan or MRI of the brain. Both these tests involve detailed imaging of the brain tissue looking for any areas of ischemia (low blood flow) or bleeding in the brain.
Other common investigations include blood tests to check for vasculitis or high cholesterol, a 24 hour tracing of the heart's rhythm (known as a holter monitor or 24 hour tape), and an ultrasound of the heart and carotid vessels. All of these investigations are used to rule out different causes of a cerebrovascular accident.
Treatment of a mini strokeTreatment of a mini stroke involves blood thinning medications such as aspirin or dipyridamole. These reduce the risk of further blockages occurring in the blood vessels causing another transient ischemic attack to the brain. The mainstay of treatment however is lifestyle modification. Risk factors for cerebrovascular accident and mini stroke include:
Your physician or GP should get a detailed history of the symptoms of a mini stroke and also carry out some of the investigations mentioned above to screen for an irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation), high cholesterol, diabetes, hypertension and other rarer disorders which increase the chance of clotting. Prognosis of a mini strokeThe prognosis of a mini stroke is excellent, as it by definition resolves within 24 hours. However your risk of having a further cerebrovascular accident such as another mini stroke or even a full-blown stroke is greatly increased, especially within the first week.
It is important to reduce your risk factors by lifestyle modification and commencing a blood thinning medication such as aspirin or dypyridamole. You should
also consult with your physician other risk factors you may have for stroke.
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