Don’t let the name fool you—a mini-stroke is a big deal. It’s a major warning sign for your health that you shouldn’t ignore. Also known as a transient ischemic attack, a mini-stroke increases your risk of a stroke, especially in the first few months after a mini-stroke occurs.
Keep reading to learn more about this potential stroke precursor.
What Is a Mini-stroke?
A mini-stroke is similar to an ischemic stroke—the most common type of stroke—which occurs when plaque or a blood clot in an artery reduces or stops blood flow to the brain. When a mini-stroke occurs, blood flow is disrupted for a much shorter time, typically 5 minutes or less according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“The difference between a stroke and a mini-stroke is the latter is a temporary condition that normally resolves before tissue death, also called ischemia, results,” said Shellee Stine, BSN, RN, clinical programs coordinator and stroke coordinator at University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center. “A stroke, however, does lead to ischemia—when part of your brain isn’t getting enough blood—and, often, leads to disabilities of a more permanent nature.”
How a Mini-stroke Makes a Stroke More Likely
Mini-strokes and strokes share risk factors, including:
- A previous stroke
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Low activity level
- Smoking
- Unhealthy diet
“If individuals have one clot that manages to travel to the brain, causing a mini-stroke, and they don’t address or make changes to their lifestyle and risk factors, chances are other clots will form and travel to the brain,” Stine said. “Each time this occurs, there’s a chance the clot will cause permanent blockage of a blood vessel, resulting in an ischemic stroke with possible physical and mental disabilities.”
If you have a mini-stroke, your stroke risk is highest during the 90 days afterward. According to the American Heart Association, a mini-stroke precedes about 12 percent of strokes.
What are the Symptoms of a Mini-stroke?
They’re the same as the symptoms of stroke—arm or leg weakness on one side of the body, problems with balance, a sudden change in or loss of vision, drooping on one side of the face, and slurred speech. Some people also experience a sudden, pre-stroke headache.
Why Help Can’t Wait
When stroke-like symptoms start, it’s impossible to tell whether a stroke or mini-stroke is occurring, which is why you should call 911 immediately. Swift treatment is essential no matter what.
“The earlier people seek medical care for stroke-like symptoms, the more likely they can receive therapy to dissolve the clot before tissue death occurs,” Stine said. “Delays in seeking treatment can lead to a stroke worsening, potentially causing permanent disability.”
Getting treatment for a mini-stroke can lower your stroke risk, according to the CDC.
