TRANSIENT ISCHEMIC ATTACK

TRANSIENT ISCHEMIC ATTACK

• A temporary cerebrovascular event that leaves no permanent damage

• Most likely an artery to the brain is temporarily blocked, causing stroke-like symptoms, but the blockage dislodges before any permanent damage occurs.

• Symptoms of a TIA may be similar to stroke, but they resolve quickly; In fact, symptoms may be so vague and fleeting that people just "brush" them off, especially when they last just a few minutes

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body

• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding

• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes

• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination

• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause.

SYMPTOMS:

1. Smoking: long-term second-hand smoke exposure

2. High blood pressure: 140/90 mmHg or higher

3. Carotid or other artery disease: The carotid arteries in the neck supply blood to the brain. A carotid artery narrowed by fatty deposits from atherosclerosis (plaque Mbuildups in artery walls) may become blocked by a blood clot.

4. History of transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)

5. Diabetes

6. High blood cholesterol: 240 mg/dL or higher

7. Physical inactivity and obesity

8. People receiving hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in particular ischemic stroke (for menopausal women)

MODIFIABLE FACTORS

1. Age: People of all ages, but the older you are, the greater your risk of stroke.

2. Gender: more common in men than in women.

3. Heredity and race: There is a greater risk of stroke if a parent, grandparent, sister or brother has had a stroke. Blacks have a much higher risk of death from a stroke than Caucasians do, partly because they are more prone to having high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity.

4. Prior stroke or heart attack: Those who have had a stroke are at much higher risk for having another stroke. Those who have had a heart attack are also at risk of having a stroke.

NON-MODIFIABLE RISK FACTORS