Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDifference Between TIA and StrokeCauses of MinistrokeSymptomsTreatmentSummary
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Difference Between TIA and Stroke
Causes of Ministroke
Symptoms
Treatment
Summary
A ministroke, also known as atransient ischemic attack (TIA), is a brief interruption of blood flow to the brain that improves on its own. TIAs produce temporary stroke-like symptoms, such as weakness on one side of the body or slurred speech, that lasts anywhere from a few minutes up to 24 hours with no lasting damage.
TIAs are “warning strokes” that are strong predictors of astroke. Up to one-third of people who have a TIA go on to have a more severe stroke within one year.Prompt treatment for a ministroke can reduce your risk of having a stroke.
This article explores the causes and symptoms of ministrokes and how they’re treated.
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What Blood Pressure Level Increases Risk of Stroke?
What Is the Difference Between a TIA and a Stroke?
There are severaldifferences between a stroke and a TIA. But, the main difference is that the symptoms of ministroke, or TIA, disappear completely within 24 hours, while strokes leave long-lasting physical impairments.
A ministroke occurs when there is atemporary period during which there is a lack of blood flow to an area of the brain. This is similar to a stroke, with the difference being that a ministroke improves because blood flow is quickly restored before permanent brain injury can occur.
In a stroke, however, blood flow remains impaired for long enough period of time to produce permanent brain injury.
Lack of blood flow is called ischemia. The medical term for aministroke is a transient ischemic (TIA)attack because it is a brief period of ischemia that produces sudden neurological symptoms, or those affecting the nervous system.
Because ischemia impairs the function of brain cells, a person who is experiencing a TIA developstemporary problems in brain function, such as difficulty speaking or moving the face, arm, or leg on one side of their body.
Is a Ministroke the Same As a Silent Stroke?No, they are not the same. Asilent strokeis when someone has a stroke without realizing it. Usually, evidence of a silent stroke is found while undergoing amagnetic resonance imaging(MRI) test for another condition. They often do not even remember having any symptoms and are surprised when they get the news. A ministroke, on the other hand, is a brief but memorable event.
Is a Ministroke the Same As a Silent Stroke?
No, they are not the same. Asilent strokeis when someone has a stroke without realizing it. Usually, evidence of a silent stroke is found while undergoing amagnetic resonance imaging(MRI) test for another condition. They often do not even remember having any symptoms and are surprised when they get the news. A ministroke, on the other hand, is a brief but memorable event.
Ahealthy brainrequires a constant delivery of oxygen and nutrient-rich blood to each one of its approximately 100 billion neurons, or brain cells. To ensure normal brain function,blood travels through multiple blood vessels to every part of the brain.
A TIA resolves before permanent damage can happen. However, if the blood flow is not quickly restored, then a stroke occurs becauseneurons in ischemic areas become deprived of oxygen and nutrients and rapidly stop functioning.
Ministroke Symptoms
Ministroke symptoms begin suddenly and can range from mild to severe. They may involve physical impairment and loss of cognitive functions.
The most commonsymptoms of a ministrokeinclude:
Exactly what someone experiences depends on the part of the brain that is affected. For example:
Ministrokes are most noticeable when they affect the parts of the brain that control movement, feeling in the face, arm, or leg, or speech.
Treatment of Ministrokes
While ministrokes themselves improve, a ministroke is a sign that you are at risk of having a stroke.That is why, even if you have recovered, it is essential to seek medical attention right away if you experience stroke-like symptoms.
Sometimes, a person can experience a stroke within 24 hours of a first ministroke, and sometimes months or even years after a first ministroke. The problem is that you cannot predict if and when you will have a stroke if you have experienced a ministroke.
Your treatment plan will depend on the results of your TIA workup. After listening to your medical history and thoroughly examining you,your healthcare provider may run some teststo determine whether you have risk factors for stroke, such as:
Imaging, such as MRI or CT scan, may be used to get a view of blood flow and tissue of the brain, and anelectrocardiogram (ECG)may be used look at your heart.
Your medical treatment will be tailored to lowering your chances of having a stroke based on your risk factors, andmay include treatment with blood thinners.
A transient ischemic attack (TIA), or ministroke, is a temporary interruption of blood flow to the brain that resolves on its own and does not cause any permanent damage to the brain.
Ministroke symptoms vary based on the part of the brain affected but may include a dizzy feeling, loss of vision, numbness or weakness on one side of the body, or difficulty speaking or moving. Symptoms may last minutes or hours but will resolve within 24 hours.
A Word From Verywell
A ministroke requires medical attention. If you have had a ministroke,you have a strong chance of avoiding a strokeif you get started on preventative treatment right away.
Taking action to prevent a strokeafter having a TIA can have a huge impact in terms of preventing disability, and even in prolonging your life. Consider a ministroke a health warning that you can gain control of.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Khare S.Risk factors of transient ischemic attack: An overview.J Midlife Health. 2016;7(1):2–7. doi:10.4103/0976-7800.179166National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Brain basics: preventing stroke.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Stroke: Hope Through Research.Nadarajan V, Perry RJ, Johnson J, Werring DJ.Transient ischaemic attacks: mimics and chameleons.Pract Neurol. 2014;14(1):23–31. doi:10.1136/practneurol-2013-000782American Stroke Association.What is a TIA?Luengo-Fernandez R, Li L, Silver L, Gutnikov S, Beddows NC, Rothwell PM.Long-term impact of urgent secondary prevention after transient ischemic attack and minor stroke: ten-year follow-up of the express study.Stroke. 2022;53(2):488-496. doi:/10.1161/STROKEAHA.121.034279American Heart Association.TIA treatment.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Khare S.Risk factors of transient ischemic attack: An overview.J Midlife Health. 2016;7(1):2–7. doi:10.4103/0976-7800.179166National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Brain basics: preventing stroke.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Stroke: Hope Through Research.Nadarajan V, Perry RJ, Johnson J, Werring DJ.Transient ischaemic attacks: mimics and chameleons.Pract Neurol. 2014;14(1):23–31. doi:10.1136/practneurol-2013-000782American Stroke Association.What is a TIA?Luengo-Fernandez R, Li L, Silver L, Gutnikov S, Beddows NC, Rothwell PM.Long-term impact of urgent secondary prevention after transient ischemic attack and minor stroke: ten-year follow-up of the express study.Stroke. 2022;53(2):488-496. doi:/10.1161/STROKEAHA.121.034279American Heart Association.TIA treatment.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Khare S.Risk factors of transient ischemic attack: An overview.J Midlife Health. 2016;7(1):2–7. doi:10.4103/0976-7800.179166National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Brain basics: preventing stroke.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Stroke: Hope Through Research.Nadarajan V, Perry RJ, Johnson J, Werring DJ.Transient ischaemic attacks: mimics and chameleons.Pract Neurol. 2014;14(1):23–31. doi:10.1136/practneurol-2013-000782American Stroke Association.What is a TIA?Luengo-Fernandez R, Li L, Silver L, Gutnikov S, Beddows NC, Rothwell PM.Long-term impact of urgent secondary prevention after transient ischemic attack and minor stroke: ten-year follow-up of the express study.Stroke. 2022;53(2):488-496. doi:/10.1161/STROKEAHA.121.034279American Heart Association.TIA treatment.
Khare S.Risk factors of transient ischemic attack: An overview.J Midlife Health. 2016;7(1):2–7. doi:10.4103/0976-7800.179166
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Brain basics: preventing stroke.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Stroke: Hope Through Research.
Nadarajan V, Perry RJ, Johnson J, Werring DJ.Transient ischaemic attacks: mimics and chameleons.Pract Neurol. 2014;14(1):23–31. doi:10.1136/practneurol-2013-000782
American Stroke Association.What is a TIA?
Luengo-Fernandez R, Li L, Silver L, Gutnikov S, Beddows NC, Rothwell PM.Long-term impact of urgent secondary prevention after transient ischemic attack and minor stroke: ten-year follow-up of the express study.Stroke. 2022;53(2):488-496. doi:/10.1161/STROKEAHA.121.034279
American Heart Association.TIA treatment.
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