TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack) or temporary ischemic attack is caused by the inability of blood to supply the brain for a short period of time. This causes the patient to have symptoms similar to a stroke. However, the difference is that TIA usually does not cause permanent damage to the brain. However, this condition can be a warning sign before a blood vessel in the brain ruptures or narrows. Therefore, if you find symptoms of this condition, you must consult a doctor immediately.
Symptoms of transient ischemic attack
The symptoms of TIA depend on the area of the brain that lacks blood supply, and they resemble those of a stroke, as follows:
- Muscle weakness, numbness, tingling, difficulty balancing, or hemiplegia of the face and arms and legs.
- Speaking incoherently, having difficulty speaking, and not understanding what other people are saying
- Double vision, blindness in one or both eyes
- Severe dizziness or headache
- High blood pressure or feeling suddenly tired
- Loss of consciousness, confusion, temporary memory loss, personality changes
Although these symptoms often resolve within minutes or hours and are usually not as severe as a stroke, which often lasts longer than 24 hours, patients should see a doctor immediately if they experience the above symptoms in order to receive a diagnosis and prevent a stroke, which is a serious and life-threatening condition.
Causes of transient ischemic attack
TIA is caused by a temporary blockage of an artery that supplies the brain, which deprives the brain of nutrients and oxygen. Illnesses that often cause blockage of arteries leading to TIA include high blood pressure, blood clots, ischemic stroke, high blood cholesterol , atrial fibrillation, sickle cell anemia, and diabetes.
Other factors that increase the risk of TIA include:
- Over 40 years old
- Men are statistically more likely to suffer from this condition than women, but women have a higher mortality rate.
- Being overweight, with a body mass index greater than 25 and a waist circumference greater than 35 inches in women or 40 inches in men.
- Eating foods that are high in fat and salt
- Taking certain birth control pills
- Heavy alcohol consumption, smoking, and drug addiction such as cocaine
- Lack of exercise
- Have a family history of cerebrovascular disease, including having or currently having cardiovascular disease, such as high blood cholesterol, blood clots, blockage of the carotid artery, which is a blood vessel in the neck that carries blood to the brain, blocked peripheral arteries, arrhythmias, heart infections, heart defects, heart failure, or diabetes, etc.
- High levels of homocysteine in the blood have been associated with damage to arteries, but testing for this level is not the standard method for diagnosing TIA.
Diagnosis of transient ischemic attack
TIA must be diagnosed promptly to determine the cause and plan treatment. Your doctor may perform a physical examination and diagnose using the following methods:
- Check for risk of TIA or stroke,such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and triglycerides, diabetes, etc.
- To check for abnormalities in blood flow,your doctor will use a stethoscope to listen for abnormal sounds of blood flow in your blood vessels, which may indicate hardening of the arteries.
- To check for blood clots in the retina,your doctor will use a camera to look inside your eye to look for cholesterol or platelet blockages in the tiny blood vessels inside your retina.
- Blood tests:Your doctor may check your complete blood count and measure your blood clotting time.
- Chest X-ray:Your doctor will take an X-ray of your chest to check the size, shape, and any abnormalities of your heart or lungs.
- An X-rayof the arteries in the brain is used to check for blockages in the arteries in the brain. This involves injecting dye through a catheter into the blood vessels in the groin and into the main arteries, including the carotid arteries or vertebral arteries. This method is used only in certain cases.
- A CT scan is usedto look at the brain and other abnormalities such as tumors, and a computerized tomography angiography (CTA) may be used to look at the arteries in the brain and neck.
- MRI scans are usedto look at brain structures and other abnormalities, and may also examine the arteries in the neck and brain using magnetic resonance angiography (MRI).
- An ultrasound scanuses high-frequency sound waves to detect narrowing or blockage of the carotid arteries in the neck, as well as to detect other abnormalities or blood clots in the heart.
- An electrocardiogramis a test that uses electrodes on your chest to monitor your heart’s rhythm to detect abnormalities that could cause a TIA.
Treatment of transient ischemic attack
TIA treatment focuses on controlling the underlying cause of the disorder and preventing stroke through the following methods:
Medication The type of medication chosen depends on the location, cause, severity, and pattern of the TIA. Several medications may be needed to reduce the risk of stroke, including:
- Antiplatelet drugsto reduce the risk of platelets clumping together and forming blood clots that can occur when blood vessels are damaged. The most commonly used drug is aspirin, which has few side effects and is inexpensive. In some cases, doctors may prescribe a combination of aspirin and dipyridamole or clopidogrel to reduce platelet clumping.
- Anticoagulants:If warfarin is used , patients can use it continuously for a long time. However, heparin must be used only for a short period of time and patients must be careful when using both of these drugs because they may increase the risk of atrial fibrillation.
- Thrombolyticsare used only in certain cases. If a person has had a TIA for several minutes and is not feeling better, the doctor may prescribe this drug to break up the blood clot that is blocking blood flow to the brain. For example, LTaplast is used to treat a stroke that has only been showing symptoms for a few hours.
In addition, doctors may prescribe blood pressure medications, statins, and blood sugar control medications to help reduce the risk of stroke.
Carotid Endarterectomy: Your doctor may recommend that you undergo surgery to open up the carotid arteries in your neck to remove plaque from the arteries. This treatment is used for patients with moderate to severe carotid stenosis, and the patient’s age, overall health, and severity of symptoms must be taken into account.
Coronary angioplasty: A doctor inserts a catheter through a blood vessel in the groin, wrist, or arm to reach the blocked coronary artery. The balloon is then used to widen the blocked artery and a coil is inserted to expand the blood vessel in that area. This treatment method is only considered in certain cases.
Complications of transient ischemic attack
TIAs can lead to stroke. People at high risk of stroke after experiencing one include:
- Over 60 years old
- Have uncontrolled high blood pressure or diabetes.
- Have trouble speaking, have sudden hemiplegia, or have symptoms of this condition lasting more than 1 hour.
TIAs can also be a warning sign of ischemic heart disease and atherosclerosis, which are conditions that affect blood flow throughout the body, including to the heart and brain.
Prevention of transient ischemic attack
Patients must know how to take care of their own health to be strong, have regular health check-ups, and avoid risks that may cause TIA, which can be done as follows:
- Eat more nutritious foods such as vegetables and fruits to get beneficial nutrients such as dietary fiber, potassium, folate, antioxidants, etc.
- Eat fish at least twice a week, especially fish that are high in omega-3s, such as sardines, salmon, or mackerel.
- Reduce your consumption of high-fat foods such as cholesterol, saturated fat, and trans fat, as these can help reduce the build-up of fat in your arteries.
- Reduce your intake of salty or high-sodium foods, as these may help lower blood pressure levels in people with high blood pressure.
- Reduce or limit your alcohol consumption to no more than 1-2 standard drinks/day.
- Quit smoking, including avoiding being near people who smoke to avoid inhaling smoke.
- Do not use any type of drug.
- Exercise at least 5 days a week for 30 minutes to stimulate the cardiovascular system. Regular exercise may also help lower blood pressure in people with high blood pressure.
- Keep your weight in a normal range, which may help lower blood pressure and control blood cholesterol levels.
- Control blood sugar levels to be normal, especially for diabetic patients who need to take care of their diet, exercise, weight control, and appropriate medication.
- People with chronic diseases must treat their illnesses, take medication, strictly follow the doctor’s advice, and consult a doctor immediately if they find any abnormal symptoms.
