A mini stroke is often considered a warning sign of a true stroke in the future if preventive measures are not taken. About 200,000 to 500,000 mini strokes take place every year in the US alone. A mini stroke is also commonly referred to as TIA (short for its full medical name, transient ischemic attack) or little stroke. [1]
A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs a portion of the brain suddenly loses its blood supply. The brain controls a wide range of activities such as talking, eating, and walking, so it is no surprise that it needs a continuous supply of oxygen through the blood.
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Any condition that causes a lack of blood supply to the brain cells can lead to a stroke, and this is commonly a blood clot. Several of the day-to-day activities controlled by the brain may be affected in case of a stroke. Mini stroke symptoms are commonly seen on only one side of the body as the functions of the left and right sides of the body are controlled by one specific side of the brain.
What causes a mini stroke?
A mini stroke can be caused by a wide variety of factors, although the most common reason leading to stroke is a lack of blood supply to the brain cells. Such a lack of blood supply can occur due to problems associated with the blood vessels of the brain or with that of the heart (the heart pumps blood and any abnormality that affects this action can lead to a lack of blood supply everywhere in the body, including the brain). [2]
The occurrence of a mini stroke is generally associated with the formation or dislodgement of a clot within the blood vessels of the brain or with the narrowing of the blood vessels of the brain. In some rare instances a brain stroke or mini stroke can occur due to conditions that affect the heart, presence of blood disorders characterized by thickening of the blood or inflammatory conditions of the blood vessels.
What are the signs and symptoms of mini stroke?
Mini stroke signs and symptoms can vary depending on the duration and severity of the attack. They may also vary to some extent in women when compared to men. A wide variety of signs and symptoms may be noted in individuals suffering from mini stroke.
In general, mini stroke symptoms may appear suddenly, last for only a short period of time (a few minutes to 24 hours), and then disappear completely. These symptoms may recur at a later time.
While a TIA or mini stroke is different from an actual stroke in that the affected part of the brain only loses blood supply for a short period of time, the signs and symptoms of mini stroke are often identical. However, it should be noted that while the symptoms of an actual stroke tend to last for a long time, mini stroke symptoms do not last for more than 24 hours.
Patients who have a diagnosis of TIA are at an increased risk of future ischemic stroke, in which a blood clot is responsible for the lacking oxygen supply to the brain, and 15% to 30% of ischemic strokes are preceded by TIA symptoms, often on the same day.
The risk of stroke is highest within the first 24 hours, so prompt and accurate diagnosis is critical, and misdiagnosis can expose patients to unnecessary investigation and long-term secondary prevention treatment, as well as anxiety. [3]
Some of the most commonly noted mini stroke symptoms have been listed below. These symptoms may often be noted on only one side of the body:
- Muscle weakness in the muscles of the face, arm, or leg on one side of the body may be noted. This may or may not be accompanied by numbness or tingling sensations.
- When the speech centers in the brain are affected by a TIA, a patient may have trouble speaking or understanding what others are saying. Even trying to speak can be difficult. In some instances, other senses such as eyesight, touch, pain, temperature, pressure, hearing, and taste may be affected.
- Changes in alertness, mood, or emotions may also be noted in some cases. Some mini stroke patients will suffer from confusion or a transient loss of memory while others may have difficulty writing or reading, display unusual levels of clumsiness, trouble walking and dizziness.
Are the symptoms of mini stroke different in women?
While some mini stroke symptoms are common in both men and women, a few symptoms and signs are specifically noted in women. Studies have reported that when compared to men, women are 43% more likely to report many of the nontraditional symptoms of stroke. These studies reported that symptoms such as pain, a change in mental status, a feeling of lightheadedness, headache, or other associated symptoms were common in women experiencing a mini stoke. [4]
Women experiencing a mini stroke can experience abrupt pain in the face and arm or the leg (generally on one side of the body). In some instances they have sudden hiccups which do not subside after drinking water. A few feel nauseated, while others abruptly start feeling tired. A mini stroke is also known to cause sudden chest pain or pounding or racing heartbeats. Sudden shortness of breath has also been reported in a few cases.
The Women’s Health Study examined aspirin as a primary preventive agent for cardiovascular disease in healthy women over age 45 years and the risk of ischemic stroke was reduced by 24%. However, no benefit was found for cardiac risk. [5]
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These symptoms are generally not noted in men experiencing a mini stroke. The presence of such variations may often make it difficult for one to differentiate between a mini stroke and other common conditions, something that is only complicated by the fact that many of the mini stroke symptoms women often experience can be dismissed as being caused by mental health issues.
What is the prognosis for a mini stroke?
Studies have reported that people who suffer from mini stroke often live longer than those who have not suffered any. This may be attributed to the lifestyle changes brought about the diagnosis of a mini stroke. While the symptoms subside within a few hours of the mini stroke or TIA, a battery of tests needs to be done to identify any underlying problems. Lifestyle changes such as proper diet, regular exercise and getting rid of stroke-causing habits such as smoking can prevent any further strokes in patients who have become aware of their risk factors. Failure to do so can make you vulnerable to future full-blown strokes, which may be fatal.