When you hear or see the word “ministroke,” you may not think it’s a major health issue. But don’t let the “mini” part of “ministroke” deceive you. A ministroke, formally known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA), can carry serious health consequences, from the risk of a full-blown stroke to the possibility of cognitive decline.
What are ministrokes?
A ministroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is temporarily blocked, according to the American Stroke Association. “The clot usually dissolves on its own or gets dislodged, and the symptoms usually last less than five minutes,” the American Stroke Association says.
How do ministrokes differ from regular strokes?
The primary difference between a ministroke and a regular stroke involves brain damage. According to the Mayo Clinic, a ministroke doesn’t permanently damage the brain or brain cells. On the other hand, a regular stroke triggers longer-lasting blockage that might cause brain damage or disability.
Every year, about 240,000 Americans suffer ministrokes, the American Stroke Association says. That compares with nearly 800,000 people in the U.S. who have full strokes, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Despite the key difference in how ministrokes and regular strokes affect the brain, they do have some strong connections. According to the American Stroke Association, these include:
- A ministroke happens before about 15% of all strokes.
- More severe strokes frequently come after ministrokes.
- About one-third of people who suffer a ministroke wind up experiencing a more serious stroke within a year.
How does a ministroke affect cognitive abilities?
New research shows that even though it may not last long, a ministroke might lead to long-lasting effects.
The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and published in the journal JAMA Neurology, found that over five years, study participants’ performance on cognitive tests following a ministroke fell as much as it does among people who suffer regular strokes.
“If you have one stroke or one TIA, with no other event over time and no other change in your medical status, the rate of cognitive decline is the same,” Dr. Victor Del Bene, a neuropsychologist and lead author of the study, told The New York Times.
Dr. Eric Smith, a neurologist at the University of Calgary, told the Times that even after ministroke symptoms go away — normally within 15 to 60 minutes — a ministroke can cause “a long-lasting change in people’s cognitive ability, possibly leading to dementia.”
What are the symptoms of a ministroke?
Symptoms of a ministroke can last a few minutes up to 24 hours, the American Stroke Association says. The association says the symptoms of a ministroke match those of a regular stroke. These include:
- Weakness, numbness or paralysis of the face, arm or leg, usually on one side of the body.
- Trouble speaking or difficulty understanding others.
- Loss of vision in one or both eyes or double vision.
- Loss of balance or coordination.
- Severe headache without an apparent cause.
Who is at risk of having a ministroke?
The Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic explain that risk factors for a ministroke include:
- High blood pressure. The Cleveland Clinic calls this “the most significant of all risk factors” for ministrokes.
- Family history. Your risk may be higher if one of your relatives has had a ministroke or regular stroke.
- Your risk rises with age, especially after 55.
- Men have a slightly higher risk of suffering both ministrokes and regular strokes. But as women grow older, their stroke risk climbs.
- Type 2 diabetes.
- Use of tobacco products.
- Heart disease.
- Previous heart attacks.
- Atrial fibrillation (Afib). “This irregular heart rhythm … can cause blood to swirl and pool in one of your heart’s chambers rather than smoothly flow through,” the Cleveland Clinic says. “That can allow clots to form, and these can then travel through your carotid arteries and into your brain.”
- History of ministrokes or regular strokes.
- Use of recreational drugs or excessive consumption of alcohol.
- Being overweight or obese.
How do you recover from a ministroke?
Recovery from a ministroke may not be as intense as it is for a full-blown stroke. Nonetheless, to aid recovery from a ministroke, you should:
- Check in regularly with your doctor.
- Exercise regularly. Doing so can control your weight and blood pressure, and improve your heart health.
- Give up smoking. If you’re a smoker, you’re increasing your chances of having another ministroke or even a stroke.
- Seek support. Turn to friends, relatives or medical professionals for support during your recovery.
“Ongoing monitoring and follow-up care are crucial to [ministroke] management and stroke prevention,” Dr. Veronica Moreno-Gomez, a neurology specialist, says in an article on the University of Utah Health website. “Follow-up appointments allow physicians to assess medication adherence and effectiveness, and provide education, counseling and community resources to the patient.”
How can you prevent ministrokes?
Rather than recovering from a ministroke, it’s wise to try to prevent having one in the first place. The Mayo Clinic offers these prevention tips:
- If you’re a cigarette smoker, kick the habit.
- Cut back on your intake of cholesterol and fat, both of which can increase the amount of plaque in your arteries.
- Eat fruits and vegetables. The Mayo Clinic says these foods contain nutrients such as potassium, folate and antioxidants that might help prevent a ministroke.
- Decrease sodium intake. For those with high blood pressure, lowering your sodium intake can help keep your blood pressure in check.
- Get regular exercise. Even something as simple as taking daily walks can help control your blood pressure.
- Dial back your alcohol intake. If you do consume alcohol, women should limit themselves to one drink per day and men should cut themselves off at two drinks per day.
- Watch your weight. Carrying excess weight affects risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
- Stay away from recreational drugs.
- Keep tabs on diabetes by sticking to a healthy diet and a regular exercise routine.
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