What You Should Know About Mini Strokes

Kim Zolciak-Biermann’s withdrawal from Dancing with the Stars Monday night after suffering a mini-stroke has increased people’s desire to learn more about this complex health issue.

The mini-stroke, or transient ischemic attack (TIA), occurs when there is a sudden loss of blood flow to the brain, explained Paul Wright, MD, chairman of neurology at LIJ Medical Center in New Hyde Park and North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset. The blood flow may be blocked by a clot or the narrowing of an artery due to plaque buildup. It’s considered a mini stroke because the person recovers from the symptoms within about 24 hours, Dr. Wright added.

Signs of a mini-stroke include numbness, difficulty speaking, vision impairment and vertigo, among others. “Some of the risk factors for a TIA are similar to risks for cardiac issues including high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and a lack of physical activity,” Dr. Wright said.

Dr. Wright notes that, “about 10 percent of strokes occur in people under 40 years of age.” Mrs. Zolciak-Biermann, for example, is 37-years-old. Dr. Wright stressed that anyone experiencing stroke symptoms should seek immediate medical attention. Treatment options include clot-busting drugs or a inserting a catheter to break up the blood clot.

“With mini-strokes, it is a stroke that basically gets better, but at the onset of symptoms, there is no way to know if that will happen,” Dr. Wright said. “That’s why people experiencing stroke symptoms should seek medical attention immediately to help ensure the best outcome.”

In the case of Mrs. Zolciak-Biermann, people should not conclude that it was dancing that caused this mini-stroke, Dr. Wright said.

“People should not be fearful of exercising and particularly dancing based on this incident,” Dr. Wright said. “There may have been an underlying health issue that caused this mini-stroke. Exercise is actually important in preventing strokes.”

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