Stroke

Experiencing Life After a Mini-Stroke: What to Expect

 

Suffering a stroke can be life-altering. Even if it is a mini-stroke, your life can be altered. Those who suffer a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) or mini-stroke may not even know that they have suffered one. Often, these symptoms are similar to those of a stroke but only last a few minutes and leave no permanent damage. Often, mini-strokes can be a warning since 1 in 3 people who suffer a TIA or a mini-stroke eventually have a stroke. Approximately 50% of those suffering a TIA experience a stroke within one year. A mini-stroke should be viewed as a warning and allow those who suffer one to prevent a full-blown stroke in the future.

What Is a Mini-Stroke?

We have all heard the term stroke before, so what is a mini-stroke? This type of stroke is also known as a Transient Ischemic Attack or TIA. It’s caused by a brief blockage of blood flow to the brain that usually lasts only a few minutes and causes no damage. Without blood flow, your brain cells start to malfunction and die.

Symptoms

Symptoms of TIA can include:

• Weakness, numbness, and paralysis are typically on one side of the body.
• Slurred speech
• Trouble understanding others
• Blindness in one/both eyes or blurred vision
• Dizziness or loss of coordination

Often, these symptoms can disappear within 60 minutes, but rarely, they can last up to 24 hours. These symptoms can be similar to those found early in strokes. While these mini-strokes may seem trivial, they are medical emergencies that should not be dismissed. With any type of stroke, treatment needs to be received as soon as possible. If you suspect a stroke, remember the acronym F.A.S.T., which stands for:

• F: Facial drooping
• A: Arm weakness
• S: Speech difficulties
• T: Time to call 911

What Should You Expect After A Mini-Stroke

OK, you just suffered a mini-stroke, so what should you expect next? Upon arrival at the emergency room, your doctor will conduct a comprehensive exam, including blood pressure, length of mini-stroke, and any symptoms experienced. A type of medicine called a thrombolytic may be administered in order to break up blood clots. Your chance of fully recovering increases greatly when thrombolytic medication is given quickly. Your doctor may order tests such as:

• MRI
• Echocardiogram
• Blood tests

Once evaluated, your treatments may include:

• Blood thinners to prevent clotting
• Cholesterol controlling medications
• Blood pressure medications

After your doctor stabilizes you, you may still have other questions. The most common question asked is how long it takes to recover from a mini-stroke. This depends on the severity of your stroke and what may have caused it. While most symptoms of mini-strokes disappear after 24 hours, if you suffer long-term effects, it may have actually been a full-blown stroke instead of a TIA. This could require physical/occupational therapy for a return to normal. This leads to the second biggest question: can I live a normal life after a TIA?

Can you live a normal life after a stroke?

Fortunately, the answer to this is yes!! If you are smart and understand that mini-strokes can be a warning sign, medication and lifestyle changes can help you head off a potentially larger stroke down the road. Since mini-strokes can lead to strokes within 90 days in 17% of sufferers, it is important to treat the underlying causes of stroke, such as:

• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Atrial fibrillation
• High cholesterol

When to Seek Medical Attention

Since mini-strokes can be a harbinger of what may come, if you think you have experienced a mini-stroke or TIA, you should seek medical attention immediately. A mini-stroke/TIA typically occurs hours or days before a stroke, so time is of the essence.

References

• Transient ischemic attack (TIA)- Mayo Clinic 
• How to recognize a ministroke or stroke — and what to do - Harvard Health Publishing
• Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) - Cleveland Clinic 
• Stroke Symptoms - American Stroke Association
• Treat and Recover from Stroke - CDC 

 

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