Ministrokes are a Major Health Concern

Franklin Square Hospital Center’s Primary Stroke Program  just received the GOLD PLUS award from The American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association in recognition of improved quality of care for stroke patients.

Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke. Stroke is the leading cause of severe disability and the third leading cause of death in America. Dr. Maria Ionita, a neurologist in the Department of Neurology at Franklin Square, warns of another, often unheeded medical condition: transient ischemic attack.

Transient ischemic attacks, or TIAs, are more commonly referred to as ministrokes. They don’t cause permanent brain injury, but should be taken seriously because nearly a third of people who have them will have a stroke sometime in the future.

The most common type of stroke occurs when a blood vessel to the brain is blocked. When this happens, the part of the brain that cannot get blood and oxygen begins to die. It’s like a heart attack that affects the brain.

A ministroke, on the other hand, occurs when a blood clot causes a blockage that is only temporary. This causes stroke symptoms that appear suddenly and quickly disappear, usually within minutes.

The symptoms of both a stroke and a ministroke come on suddenly and include:

• Weakness, numbness, tingling in your face, arm or leg
• Loss of coordination
• Slurred speech, trouble speaking or problems understanding others
• Falling or loss of balance
• Sudden, severe headache of unknown cause, when associated with other stroke symptoms
• Loss of vision or double vision
• Dizziness or vertigo (spinning sensation)

Strokelike symptoms signal a medical emergency. If you experience a sudden onset of symptoms, even if for just a few minutes, you need to call 911 to get help right away.

Fortunately, people who’ve had a ministroke can help ward off another, or even a major stroke, by making lifestyle changes and getting medical treatment.

There are steps you can take to decrease your risk of a ministroke or stroke. These steps will also help improve your overall health:

• Manage your blood pressure.
• Watch your diet.
• Control your blood sugar.
• If you smoke, break the habit.

In addition to these lifestyle changes, you may benefit from one or more medications, including blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol medications as well as aspirin, or other anticlotting drugs.

When every minute counts, you can rely on Franklin Square to be there for you if you experience a stroke or ministroke.

As a certified Primary Stroke Center, we have an Acute Stroke Team that includes a board-certified neurologist who is available around the clock to evaluate and treat patients with stroke.