Should a “Mini - Stroke” Be a Major Concern?
A “mini-stroke,” or transient ischemic attack (TIA), occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery carrying blood to the brain. This temporary blockage causes stroke symptoms that disappear within minutes or hours.
Symptoms of a stroke or TIA may include:
- Problems speaking or understanding speech
- Numbness or weakness of the face, arms, or legs—especially on only one side of the body
- Difficulty seeing
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Severe headache.
A person experiencing any of these symptoms should get emergency help— even if the symptoms disappear. While TIAs do not lead to permanent brain injury, one in three people who suffers a TIA will have a full-fledged stroke—often within a year and most likely within three months. Fortunately, people who have had a TIA can help ward off another TIA or a full-scale stroke by making lifestyle
The same risk factors that put people at risk for a TIA also boost their stroke risk. To improve your chances of avoiding these conditions, take these steps:
- Manage your blood pressure. Nine out of 10 stroke sufferers have high blood pressure. You can lower yours by eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, cutting back on high-sodium foods, limiting your use of table salt, shedding excess weight, and getting plenty of exercise.
- Stop chewing the fat. High blood cholesterol ups your stroke risk. The worst culprit in raising blood cholesterol is saturated fat. Foods high in saturated fats include many meats and full-fat dairy products.
- Control your blood sugar. Diabetes triples your stroke risk. If you have diabetes, be sure to keep your blood sugar within healthy ranges.
- If you smoke, break the habit. Smoking doubles stroke risk.
In addition to lifestyle changes, your doctor may recommend one or more medications, including:
- Blood pressure drugs
- Cholesterol medications
- Aspirin or other anticlotting drugs.
There are also medical procedures available that can lower the risk of stroke in people who have had a TIA.
Speech Therapy for Stroke Patients
Speech language pathologists are experts in providing the tools to improve a stroke survivor’s communication and swallowing problems. Services are delivered on an inpatient and outpatient basis in English and Spanish. Depending on the patient’s needs, therapy is provided in individual and group settings. To find out more about the stroke rehabilitation program, please call
May/June 2006 A Healthy Tomorrow
The editorial content of this online publication is taken from the print version of A Healthy Tomorrow published by Loma Linda University Medical Center.