Hailey Bieber recently had a mini-stroke (TIA).
DID YOU KNOW THAT STROKES AMONG YOUNG INDIVIDUALS are not uncommon? The recent health scare of Hailey Bieber (an American model, media personality, socialite, and wife of musician Justin Bieber) is raising awareness about strokes.
Hailey Bieber opens up about her mini-stroke: “It was definitely an eye-opening thing for me.” Listen to the 25-year-old as she speaks on video.
Today, we look at transient ischemic attacks (TIAs or mini-strokes), who is most at risk, diagnosis, management, and risk reduction.
TIA: What is it?
The team at the Mayo Clinic (USA) explains that a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or “mini-stroke” is the result of a temporary disruption in the blood supply to part of the brain. With this change in blood flow, the brain has inadequate oxygen.
This turn of events can lead to stroke-like symptoms; for example, weakness in the face, arms, or legs may occur. Other potential symptoms include speech or visual disturbances.
How is a TIA different from a stroke?
A transient ischemic attack is similar to a stroke, but the symptoms of a TIA last only for a short time. The cause of a stroke and a transient ischemic attack are similar — both involve an inadequate blood supply to the brain.
However, with a TIA, when the clot moves away, the stroke-like symptoms resolve within a few minutes to a few hours and fully resolve within 24 hours.
While you may feel well, it is essential to seek immediate medical attention.
Why the urgent need to get medical help? A transient ischemic attack is a warning sign that you are at a higher risk of having a stroke. This increased risk is highest in the first days or weeks after a TIA.
TIA: Risk factors
There are modifiable (for example, smoking) and non-modifiable (such as age) risk factors for a transient ischemic attack:
- Older age. Stroke risk doubles with each decade after age 55.
- Family history of stroke
- Male sex. Men have a higher risk of TIA, but women have a higher lifetime stroke risk.
- Race or ethnicity. Hispanics and African Americans have a higher risk of TIA and stroke than Caucasian (white) people.
- High blood pressure
- Physical inactivity
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Atrial fibrillation
- Smoking (both tobacco and marijuana)
- High blood cholesterol levels
- Drug abuse
- Obesity
TIA: Symptoms
A TIA has the same main symptoms as a stroke. The FAST test can help you to check your symptoms.
- Facial weakness: Can the person smile? Is their eye or mouth drooping?
- Arm weakness: Can the individual lift both arms?
- Speech problems: Can the person speak clearly and understand the words of others?
- Time to call the emergency line if a person has any signs.
I love the simplicity of the FAST test. Still, there can be other symptoms of TIA or stroke. Symptoms may include challenges with word-finding or speaking in clear sentences.
Some people experience sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body. Others have sudden blurred vision or vision loss in one or both eyes. Other symptoms include a sudden memory loss or confusion, dizziness, or a sudden fall. A sudden and severe headache may occur.
TIA: Diagnosis
The good folks at the Cleveland Clinic (USA) emphasize the need for immediate evaluation. There is a clinician examination and diagnostic testing. First, there are checks of your vision, muscle strength, speech, and cognition.
Other tests often include an electrocardiogram (ECG) of the heart, body temperature check, a sleep study (to look for sleep apnea), and blood work.
Diagnostic testing includes brain imaging such as a CT or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the brain and carotid arteries.
Because the brain clot with a TIA is temporary, a brain scan sometimes does not reveal the damage.
Hailey Bieber had a mini-stroke (TIA): Please go here to hear the rest of the story:
