Why the Transient Ischemic Attack Is a Pre-stroke warning
- Diksha Joshi
- 7 days ago
- 2 min read
It started like any other morning. A 50-year-old man was on his way to work when he suddenly felt weakness in his arm. It passed after a few minutes, but the episode left him shaken and unable to drive right away. He didn’t think much of it at first, assuming stress or fatigue were to blame. Two hours later, he arrived at the hospital, where doctors found he had high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and a history of smoking. His symptoms had disappeared, but what he had experienced was more serious than he realized: a transient ischemic attack (TIA).
A TIA, often called a “mini-stroke,” happens when blood flow to part of the brain is temporarily blocked. It can last from a few seconds to several minutes, but always less than 24 hours. Because the blockage clears on its own, it usually doesn’t cause permanent damage and might not show up on brain imaging. That’s what makes TIAs so dangerous; they feel temporary, but they are often a warning sign of a future stroke.
Recognizing the Signs
The symptoms of a TIA are similar to those of a stroke. They can affect movement, speech, or vision, and may include:
Sudden weakness or numbness (often in one arm or leg)
Trouble speaking or understanding speech
Dizziness or unsteadiness
Double vision or temporary vision loss
Brief confusion or memory loss
Even if these symptoms fade quickly, they should not be ignored. A TIA can be thought of as an ‘early alarm’ that notifies you to take precaution and act early before greater damage occurs in the form of a stroke.
Understanding the Risks
TIAs and strokes share the same risk factors: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and age (risk increases after 55). A family history of stroke or TIA also raises the likelihood.
What many people don’t realize is how urgent it is to seek medical help after a TIA. Research shows that 1 in 9 people who experience a TIA will have a stroke within three months and that half of these cases occur within the first two days. Quick evaluation and treatment can dramatically reduce that risk, which is why recognizing early warning signs is crucial.
Learn a FAST stroke or TIA assessment
The fast assessment is a part of every standard first aid course that can help recognize and test for signs and symptoms of a stroke or TIA.
Face - Does the face appear droopy or lopsided. Ask: Can you give me a big smile with your teeth?
Arm - Here, you are looking for one-sided weakness. Ask: Can you hold your arms out front for 10 seconds with you eyes closed? If one arm gradually droops, call 911.
Speech - Are they able to speak? Does their speech make sense or is it a word-salad? Do they understand you? Converse with the person to find out. You can ask them their name, the day of week, the time.
Time - Try to figure out the time the symptoms began. It is important for healthcare workers to know how long the TIA or stroke lasted.
If you or someone you know experiences sudden, short-lived stroke-like symptoms, don’t wait it out. Go to the hospital immediately. TIAs are fleeting, but recognizing the signs early can save somebody’s life in the long run.
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