Avoiding the Big One: Stroke

What's wrong with me? I've got this terrible headache, I can't seem to focus, and the left side of my face is numb! Let's hope this has never happened to you because if it has, you may have suffered a TIA. What is a TIA and is it serious? For us non medical types a TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack) is a mini stroke.

There are some pretty frightening facts about anyone who has a TIA. About 10 percent of people who have a TIA will have a major stroke within a week. What's even worse another 20 percent will suffer the "Big One" within three weeks.

"TIAs are emergencies, whether symptoms go away or not," warns S. Claiborne Johnston, MD, director of the Stroke Service at the University of California, San Francisco, and co-author of a report in Lance Neurology last April that summarized recent stroke research.

Stroke is the third-leading cause of death after heart disease and cancer and the number one cause of adult disability.

TIA's are rarely fatal and leave no permanent disability. Because the body recovers completely from these TIAs leaving no damage, people are so relieved they don't follow up with proper medical attention. Incredible as it sounds; you should get to an emergency room as fast as you can. Immediate diagnosis and treatment are crucial to ward off the much more serious and devastating full blown stroke.

Know the warning signs of TIAs

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Numbness or weakness of a limb or the face, usually on one side of the body

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Dizziness

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Confusion

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Trouble seeing or speaking

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Severe headache

If any of these happen to you, they tend to come suddenly, call 911 and go to the nearest emergency room. The clot-busting drugs needed to treat TIA are only effective if given within three hours after symptoms begin. At the ER, insist that you are given tests for an accurate diagnosis.

While there are risk factors you can't control, race, gender, age and family history, there are steps you can take to lessen your chance for a stroke

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Lower your cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Diet and exercise are the best ways, but if these don't work, take medication.

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Speaking of diet, experts generally recommend five servings of fruits and vegetables every day and two servings of fish a week. Whole-grain breads and brown rice will also help.

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Control your weight. Obesity raises your risk for a stroke.

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Exercise a half-hour on most days.

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Take aspirin. Check with your doctor first as aspirin can cause bleeding in some people.

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Stop smoking (No surprise there)

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Have a drink!! Some studies have shown that an alcoholic drink a day may also reduce risk. Make sure it's just one!

So, as goofy as it sounds, should you feel any of the symptoms of a mini stroke, call 911 and get to the nearest emergency room.

National Institutes of Health
National Stroke Association