Suddenly, you feel numbness or weakness on one side of your body. Walking is difficult, you're dizzy, unsteady, your vision is blurry and you feel confused. A pounding headache hits out of nowhere, and your words aren’t coming out right. What is happening?!
Suraj Muley, MD, neurologist with HonorHealth Neurology and an independent member of the HonorHealth Medical Staff, provides expert advice on how to spot early mini stroke symptoms and what to do about them - because your brain deserves the best care.
“If you have any of these symptoms and they go away within an hour, it could be a mini stroke,” says Dr. Muley. “This is known as a transient ischemic attack, or TIA. Since the symptoms are like a stroke, don’t wait. Get to the hospital quickly. Time is crucial for protecting your brain cells.
Uncovering causes and risk factors
TIAs might not cause lasting damage, but they’re a warning sign for future strokes. They occur when a clot briefly blocks blood flow to your brain, leading to the sudden onset of symptoms as your brain cells begin to die. TIAs, caused by fatty deposits known as plaques, can impact various parts of your brain.
Some of the risk factors associated with TIAs include:
- Family history: A family history of TIA or stroke increases your risk.
- Age: Risk rises with age, particularly after 55.
- Sex: Men are slightly more at risk, but women experience more than half of all stroke-related deaths.
- Previous TIAs: Having one or more TIAs makes you 10 times more likely to have a stroke.
- Race: Higher rates of high blood pressure and diabetes in Black individuals elevate stroke risk.
Stopping TIAs in their tracks
There are different lifestyle changes you can make to prevent a TIA, including:
- Cutting cholesterol and fat: Reduce saturated and trans fats, like those in a double cheeseburger.
- Eating healthier: Load up on fruits and vegetables for antioxidants and protection against TIAs and strokes.
- Watching your sodium: Especially crucial if you have high blood pressure.
- Exercising regularly: Helps lower high blood pressure.
- Quitting smoking: Stop now.
- Limiting alcohol: For women, no more than one drink a day; for men, two.
- Managing diabetes: Consult your doctor for a plan involving diet, exercise, weight control and medication if needed.
- Maintaining a healthy weight: Losing excess pounds can lower blood pressure and cholesterol.
"Following a healthy lifestyle goes a long way to prevent TIAs and stroke,” Dr. Muley says. "That's important when you know that stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a major cause of disability.”
Recognized excellence in stroke care
Four of our medical centers, including HonorHealth John C. Lincoln, Deer Valley and Scottsdale Shea and Osborn medical centers, are certified as Primary Stroke Centers. This certification shows that the centers demonstrate a commitment to excellence to provide care that can significantly improve a stroke patient's outcome. Don't hesitate to ask the ambulance driver to take your loved one to the nearest Primary Stroke Center if they are experiencing stroke symptoms.
Every second counts
Facing a stroke is a race against time. The moment symptoms hit; your swift action can make all the difference. Recognize the signs, call 911 immediately and help save a life.
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