Don’t ignore symptoms of ‘mini-stroke’

When people think about a stroke, symptoms such as paralysis of limbs or an entire side of the body, and loss of motor coordination come to mind. But a stroke doesn’t always happen this way. In fact, when a person experiences milder symptoms, it’s easier to explain them away because they don’t necessarily point to a health emergency. But dismissing symptoms because of uncertainty can be dangerous.

Strokes are the third-leading cause of death, behind heart disease and cancer, and a leading cause of dis- ability in the United States, according to the American Stroke Association.

A stroke is an interruption of blood to the brain, either from a blood clot or the rupturing of a blood vessel, which results in a certain area of the brain not receiving the critical oxygen and nutrients it needs to function properly.

One type of stroke is a transient ischemic attack ( TIA), a stroke-like event that can be just as serious. Often called a “mini-stroke,” a TIA has similar signs, with symptoms that don’t last as long. A TIA occurs when a blood clot briefly blocks an artery that supplies blood to the brain. TIA symptoms may include:

• Severe, sudden headache;

• Weakness, numbness or paralysis of the face, arms or legs on one side of the body;

• Difficulty walking, and/ or loss of balance or coordination; • Dizziness; • Vision problems, such as blurred or double vision;

• Confusion or trouble speaking clearly or understanding communication.

A TIA should be considered a warning sign. It has the same symptoms as a stroke, but TIA symptoms are temporary and produce no lasting damage to the brain. However, it’s important not to take a TIA lightly; it’s a strong predictor of a possible full-scale stroke which could be just a matter of days, weeks or months away. According to the American Stroke Association, more than one third of individuals who suffer a TIA will later have a stroke.

What makes a TIA even more dangerous is that an astonishing number of people do not realize they are experiencing a mini-stroke and do not seek immediate medical care. A 2006 study by the American Heart Association found that less than half of people who suffer symptoms of a mini-stroke seek medical attention promptly, and only 10 percent go to the emergency room. Notably, 20 percent of patients incorrectly identified their symptoms as stress, fatigue, eye problems or a migraine.

If you suspect someone is having a stroke, don’t waste a precious second – call 911 immediately. The emergency room at Siloam Springs Regional Hospital is here for you and your family 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Through the AR SAVES program, SSRH uses a highspeed video communications system to help provide immediate, life-saving treatments to stroke patients 24 hours a day. The real-time video communication enables a stroke neurologist to evaluate whether emergency room physicians should use a powerful blood-clot dissolving agent within the critical three-hour period following the first signs of stroke.

Your provider can administer several tests to diagnose TIA and determine your future risk of stroke. This includes a review of your medical history, a physical and neurological exam, blood tests and various diagnostic tests. Diagnostic tests may include imaging tests (such as a CT scan or MRI, which take a picture of the brain); electrical tests which examine brain waves or study how the brain handles various sensory information: hearing, touch or vision; and finally, blood tests (an ultrasound or arteriogram, which give an idea of blood flow and the condition of your arteries).

TIA is a threat to your health – but also an opportunity to learn and step up your prevention efforts. To learn more, talk to your doctor or visit SSRH.net.