PtEd – TRANSIENT ISCHEMIC ATTACK

TRANSIENT ISCHEMIC ATTACK PROBLEM/CAUSE A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a temporary loss of brain function caused by a decrease of blood flow to the brain. It is considered a “mini stroke.” The symptoms may last only a few minutes, but the risk for a stroke is increased over the next week. Neither you nor your family should drive you to the hospital emergency room. An ambulance is needed for the earliest evaluation and treatment. RISK FACTORS FOR TIAS A.High blood pressure. B.Irregular heart beat (atrial fibrillation). C.Smoking, including secondhand smoke. D.High cholesterol. E.Being overweight. F.Diabetes. G.Obstructive sleep apnea. H.Lack of exercise. SUDDEN SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A STROKE F.A.S.T. is an easy way to remember: F. Face drooping A. Arm weakness S. Speech difficulty T. Time to call 911 PREVENTION/CARE A.A full workup is necessary to decide why you are having TIAs. B.You may be referred to a neurologist—a doctor who specializes in medical problems involving the brain. C.Special tests or surgery may be done to evaluate your heart and blood vessels. Treatment depends on your symptoms and test results. Surgery may be necessary. D.Treatment starts with modifying your risk factors: 1.Lose weight. 2.Eat a healthy diet including fruits/vegetables each day of the week. Eat lean meats/fish most days. Limit your intake of sweets. 3.Limit your salt intake. Avoid canned, packaged, and fast food. Season food with herbs instead of salt. 4.Lower your cholesterol. Know your cholesterol results and work on improving them if elevated with low fat/low cholesterol diet. 5.Eliminating alcohol is encouraged. 6.If you are a diabetic, you must keep your diabetes under control to lower your risk. 7.Do not smoke or use any tobacco products to lower your risk of a TIA and stoke. E.Take your medicines as prescribed. Do not skip your medications. F.If your TIA was related to high blood pressure, you will be prescribed medicines to lower it. Learn to take your blood pressure and bring your blood pressure readings to your providers. G.Aspirin is commonly prescribed after a TIA. You may be prescribed a blood thinner. Some blood thinners require regular laboratory testing. Discuss treatment with your healthcare provider. H.If you are taking a blood thinner, get a MedicAlert bracelet/necklace, or carry a card in your wallet and car in case you are in an accident. MedicAlert jewelry can be purchased at local drugstores, and there are multiple websites for ordering MedicAlert identification. You can build your own identification bracelets or neck chains from American Medical ID: www.americanmedical-id.com. Activity: Exercise most days of the week. You need to exercise at least 30 minutes daily three to four times a week. Walking is a great exercise. Please make sure you have been released by your healthcare provider to begin exercising. Diet: Eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol, and low-sodium diet. Medications: You Have Been Prescribed a Blood Thinner: ___________________________________________________________ You Need to Take: ___________________________________________________________ You Have Been Prescribed a Medicine to Lower Your Cholesterol: ___________________________________________________________ You Need to Take: ___________________________________________________________ WARNING SIGNS OF A TIA If you experience any of these signs, seek medical attention (call 911) immediately: A.Weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg on one side of the body. B.Trouble talking or understanding others when they talk. C.Changes in eyesight such as dimness, double vision, or loss of vision. D.Dizziness, unsteadiness, or sudden falls. E.Sudden severe headaches. RESOURCES American Heart Association 7272 Greenville Avenue Dallas, TX 75231-4596 www.heart.org National Stroke Association 9707 East Easter Lane, Suite B Centennial, CO 80112-3747 www.stroke.org

TRANSIENT ISCHEMIC ATTACK

PROBLEM/CAUSE

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a temporary loss of brain function caused by a decrease of blood flow to the brain. It is considered a mini stroke. The symptoms may last only a few minutes, but the risk for a stroke is increased over the next week.

Neither you nor your family should drive you to the hospital emergency room. An ambulance is needed for the earliest evaluation and treatment.

RISK FACTORS FOR TIAS

A.High blood pressure.

B.Irregular heart beat (atrial fibrillation).

C.Smoking, including secondhand smoke.

D.High cholesterol.

E.Being overweight.

F.Diabetes.

G.Obstructive sleep apnea.

H.Lack of exercise.

SUDDEN SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A STROKE

F.A.S.T. is an easy way to remember:

F. Face drooping

A. Arm weakness

S. Speech difficulty

T. Time to call 911

PREVENTION/CARE

A.A full workup is necessary to decide why you are having TIAs.

B.You may be referred to a neurologist—a doctor who specializes in medical problems involving the brain.

C.Special tests or surgery may be done to evaluate your heart and blood vessels. Treatment depends on your symptoms and test results. Surgery may be necessary.

D.Treatment starts with modifying your risk factors:

1.Lose weight.

2.Eat a healthy diet including fruits/vegetables each day of the week. Eat lean meats/fish most days. Limit your intake of sweets.

3.Limit your salt intake. Avoid canned, packaged, and fast food. Season food with herbs instead of salt.

4.Lower your cholesterol. Know your cholesterol results and work on improving them if elevated with low fat/low cholesterol diet.

5.Eliminating alcohol is encouraged.

6.If you are a diabetic, you must keep your diabetes under control to lower your risk.

7.Do not smoke or use any tobacco products to lower your risk of a TIA and stoke.

E.Take your medicines as prescribed. Do not skip your medications.

F.If your TIA was related to high blood pressure, you will be prescribed medicines to lower it. Learn to take your blood pressure and bring your blood pressure readings to your providers.

G.Aspirin is commonly prescribed after a TIA. You may be prescribed a blood thinner. Some blood thinners require regular laboratory testing. Discuss treatment with your healthcare provider.

H.If you are taking a blood thinner, get a MedicAlert bracelet/necklace, or carry a card in your wallet and car in case you are in an accident. MedicAlert jewelry can be purchased at local drugstores, and there are multiple websites for ordering MedicAlert identification. You can build your own identification bracelets or neck chains from American Medical ID: www.americanmedical-id.com.

Activity: Exercise most days of the week. You need to exercise at least 30 minutes daily three to four times a week. Walking is a great exercise. Please make sure you have been released by your healthcare provider to begin exercising.

Diet: Eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol, and low-sodium diet.

Medications:

You Have Been Prescribed a Blood Thinner: ___________________________________________________________

You Need to Take: ___________________________________________________________

You Have Been Prescribed a Medicine to Lower Your Cholesterol: ___________________________________________________________

You Need to Take: ___________________________________________________________

WARNING SIGNS OF A TIA

If you experience any of these signs, seek medical attention (call 911) immediately:

A.Weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg on one side of the body.

B.Trouble talking or understanding others when they talk.

C.Changes in eyesight such as dimness, double vision, or loss of vision.

D.Dizziness, unsteadiness, or sudden falls.