Why is a transient ischemic attack dangerous and how to treat it

What is a transient ischemic attack

Transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a conditionTransient Ischemic Attack, in which the blood supply to any part of the brain is temporarily interrupted. The word "transient" means "transient", "short-term".

Another name for TIA - mini-strokeTransient ischemic attack (TIA). In fact, both TIA and stroke are one and the same pathological process. Only a stroke is a long-term condition: due to prolonged circulatory disorders, brain cells die off. Ischemic attack is short-lived. In most cases, it lasts no more than a few minutes. And, unlike a stroke, it goes away without consequences, without causing irreversible damage.

However, this does not meanTransient ischemic attack (TIA)that TIA is safe.

In every third patient, an ischemic attack precedes a stroke. In about half of cases, it occurs within a year of a TIA attack.

However, doctors see in a transient ischemic attack not so much a harbinger of an impending acute cerebrovascular accident, as an opportunity to prevent it. To protect yourself from possible stroke, it is important to know how TIA works. And seek help in time.

What are the symptoms of transient ischemic attack

Signs of a transient ischemic attack are similar to stroke symptoms. Just less pronounced.

It is worthwhile to be wary if suddenly there areTransient ischemic attack (TIA):

• Weakness, numbness, or a feeling of paralysis of the face, arm, or leg. Usually this is a unilateral disorder, that is, only the left arm or the right cheek is affected, for example.
• Problems with speech - the language seems to be braided, it is difficult to clearly pronounce even simple words.
• Difficulty understanding speech addressed to a person.
• Double vision. Or a sharp deterioration in vision from one eye.
• An attack of dizziness, up to a violation of coordination of movements and loss of balance.

Often, a TIA attack is limited to only one or a couple of the listed symptoms. Moreover, they can change - it depends on which part of the brain was deprived of blood.

Sometimes ischemic attacks follow one another. In this case, the person feels, for example, several bouts of severe dizziness or weakness in the arm during the day.

Unfortunately, many people choose not to notice the violation. The reason is simple. The ischemic attack ends within a few minutes, the person begins to feel good again and thinks: “Just I got dizzy, it happens".

When to see a doctor

Always, if you notice symptoms similar to those of an ischemic attack. Be sure to consult with a therapist as soon as possible, even if your state of health quickly returned to normal.

Let's repeat: a transient ischemic attack can mean that a stroke will occur within the next few days.

It is important to be examined by a doctor on time. Your healthcare provider will either rule out TIAs or prescribe treatment to help prevent stroke.

How to treat transient ischemic attack

An ischemic attack by itself is not cured. For the reason that it is not an independent disease, but only a sign of problems with blood circulation in the brain.

Therefore, to begin with, the therapist will find out why the brain receives less blood. To do this, you will be offered to undergo an examination. It may includeTransient ischemic attack (TIA) into myself:

• Physical examination. The therapist will check your eyesight, speech intelligibility, reflexes, and measure your blood pressure. Perhaps he will use a stethoscope to listen to the carotid artery in the neck to see if there are plaques interfering with blood flow. And an ophthalmoscope to detect fragments of cholesterol and platelets in the tiny blood vessels of the retina.
• Blood tests. They help diagnose high cholesterol and possible diabetes. Both of these disorders are risk factors because they can cause blockage of blood vessels in the brain.
• Ultrasound of the carotid artery. It allows you to find out if there are blood clots or bottlenecks in the arteries feeding the brain.
• CT or MRI of the head. The task of computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging is to determine if everything is in order with the blood vessels of the neck and brain.
• Echocardiography. It helps to assess the performance of the heart and the state of the blood vessels in it.
• Arteriography. This is the name of a complex procedure that allows you to better see the blood vessels in the brain. It is carried out using a special flexible tube (catheter), which is inserted through a small incision, usually in the groin, into the carotid or vertebral artery.

After the doctor finds out what is the cause of the ischemic attack, he will prescribe treatment. Its purpose is to improve blood circulation and prevent possible stroke.

There are three types of therapyTransient ischemic attack (TIA). Which of them is preferable in your case, only the physician decides.

1. Taking medication

The choice of drugs depends on the cause and severity of the TIA experienced. Usually the following means are prescribed:

• Antiplatelet agents. This is the name for drugs that prevent platelets from clumping together, one of the most common types of blood cells. The adhered platelets form dense clots (blood clots) that impede blood circulation. One of the most popular and most effective antiplatelet agents is regular aspirin.
• Anticoagulants. These drugs also prevent blood clots, but in a different way. They reduce the activity of proteins involved in blood clotting (the so-called clotting factors).

Do not under any circumstances engage in self-assignments. Only a qualified doctor can choose the right drug that will help, not harm.

2. Carotid artery surgery

They resort to it if the cause of the ischemic attack is atherosclerotic plaques that have narrowed the lumen of the carotid artery. During the operation, an incision is made in the vessel and the deposits are removed through it with the help of instruments.

3. Angioplasty

This procedure is prescribed if the carotid arteries are narrowed, and it is impossible to expand them simply by clearing them of plaque. In this case, the surgeon will install a stent into the artery - a hollow tube that artificially expands the lumen of the vessel and allows blood to flow freely and smoothly into the brain.

What are the causes of transient ischemic attack

The main reasonTransient ischemic attack (TIA) - the accumulation of cholesterol plaques in the carotid artery. They narrow the lumen of the vessel, making it difficult for blood to flow. And they increase the risk of blood clots.

In addition, a transient ischemic attack can result from a blood clot trapped in the blood vessels of the brain from other organs, most often the heart.

There are many factors that increase the number of plaque cholesterol and increase the risk of blood clots in the body. Here are the most common ones.

• Heredity. If someone in your family has had a transient ischemic attack or stroke, you are also at risk.
• Age. Most often, TIA occurs in people over the age of 55.
• Floor. The risk of ischemic attack in men is slightly higher than in women.
• Hypertension. TIA and stroke are more likely if blood pressure rises above 140/90 mmHg on a regular basis.
• High blood cholesterol.
• Cardiovascular diseases. In particular, we are talking about heart failure, heart defects, arrhythmias and infections of the heart muscle.
• Carotid artery pathology. Or peripheral arteries that supply blood to the arms and legs.
• Diabetes. Because of it, cholesterol plaques can increase.
• High homocysteine ​​levels. Excessive amounts of this amino acid in the blood often lead to thickening of the walls of the arteries and the formation of scars on them. Because of this, blood clots develop more easily.
• Excess weight. Fat deposits, especially in the abdomen, dramatically increase the risk of stroke in both men and women.
• Smoking. Another factor that contributes to the formation of blood clots.
• Sedentary lifestyle.
• The habit of leaning on fatty and salty foods.
• Addiction to alcohol.

How to prevent transient ischemic attack

Certain risk factors cannot be eliminated. For example, there is nothing you can do about heredity or age. However, sometimes it is enough to just make a slight adjustment in the lifestyle to significantly reduce the risk of transient ischemic attack and stroke.

• Stop smoking.
• Limit the amount of fatty and salty foods.
• Eat more fruits and vegetables.
• Exercise regularly. Or stay physically active in another way, such as walking more often.
• Limit your alcohol intake. The recommended limit is no more than one drink per day for women and two for men. Drink meansWhat Is A Standard Drink? about 350 ml of beer with a strength of 5%, 150 ml of table wine, 45 ml of vodka or other drink with a strength of 40 degrees.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Control your diabetes, if you have one. How to do this, the endocrinologist observing you will tell you.