The chance of a subsequent stroke after an acute transient ischemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke is high1–7 with a 90-day risk between 10% and 20%. The prognosis for these patients is often unfavorable.
Some people might have more than one TIA and it is possible to have several TIAs in a short space of time (for example, several TIAs within a day).
The underlying cause of a TIA often is a buildup of cholesterol-containing fatty deposits called plaques (atherosclerosis) in an artery or one of its branches that supplies oxygen and nutrients to the brain. Plaques can decrease the blood flow through an artery or lead to the development of a clot.
TIAs look like strokes in terms of signs and symptoms, but they are temporary. In other words, they leave no lasting brain damage or residual symptoms. However, they serve as a warning sign that a person is at higher risk of a major stroke and should seek immediate medical attention.
TIAs are sometimes called “warning strokes” and tend to happen multiple times. In many cases, TIAs are followed by strokes, usually within a year of the first attack. TIAs may be caused by a variety of factors, including: Narrowing of the arteries, usually caused by atherosclerosis.
The chance of a subsequent stroke after an acute transient ischemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke is high1–7 with a 90-day risk between 10% and 20%. The prognosis for these patients is often unfavorable.
A person's life expectancy after a mini stroke reduces by around 4% in the first year following the attack in comparison to people who have not had one. In the following 9 years, life expectancy reduces by 20%. These statistics come from a 2019 review .
Most people, and even many doctors, don't realize that the risk of a second stroke is as high as 12.8 percent in the first week after a TIA (transient ischemic attack). If you do not change certain lifestyle factors, the risk of a second stroke within the next five years can be as high as 30 percent.
A transient ischaemic attack or TIA is also known as a mini-stroke. It is the same as a stroke, except that the symptoms only last for a short amount of time. This is because the blockage that stops the blood getting to your brain is temporary.
However, some people were left with some residual (on-going) symptoms that lasted a few weeks, and some people continued to experience some symptoms for a while afterwards. Commonly these included arm and limb weakness or numbness, slurred speech, memory problems, confusion and visual difficulties.
The best way to help prevent a TIA is to eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and not smoke or drink too much alcohol.
Managing blood pressure levels, reducing or quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet, and regular physical activity will reduce the risk of a second stroke, along with managing conditions such as Type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol.
The good news is you absolutely can live a full life after a mini-stroke. Here's how. Like strokes, mini-strokes occur when a blockage occurs in a major artery to your brain, disrupting the flow of blood and oxygen. The difference is in a mini-stroke, the disruption lasts only minutes, so there's no permanent damage.
"Mini Strokes" - in 40s and 50s
The likelihood of stroke increases with age, doubling for every decade after age 55, one-third of strokes occur in people younger than 65, with particular risk in young and middle aged women. In fact, women 45 to 54 years of age are more than twice as likely as men to have a stroke.
Because mild strokes do not typically cause major impairments, recovery is usually fast. Sometimes recovery from a mild stroke can occur within 3-6 months. Other times it can take longer. There are many variables that affect the time it takes to recover.
Tests will be done to rule out a stroke or other disorders that may cause the symptoms: You will likely have a head CT scan or brain MRI. A stroke may show changes on these tests, but TIAs will not.
You should be referred to see a specialist within 24 hours of the onset of your symptoms. A TIA is a warning sign that you may be at risk of having a full stroke in the near future, and an assessment can help doctors determine the best way to reduce the chances of that happening.
Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the preferred and most sensitive modality after transient ischemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke.
TIA does not cause widespread, permanent damage, but it may result in small pockets of dead brain cells. It is often called a “warning stroke” because it precedes about 15% of all strokes, and 9-17% of TIA patients have a stroke within 90 days.
Seek treatment immediately. The main takeaway is that a mini stroke, no matter how quickly it seems to resolve, is a medical emergency. If you have experienced mini stroke symptoms, your brain was starved of oxygen for a period of time and was not functioning properly when that happened.
The short answer is yes; the brain can heal after acute trauma from a stroke or brain injury, although the degree of recovery will vary. The reason the brain can recover at all is through neuroplasticity, sometimes referred to as brain plasticity.
Key points. Transient ischemic attack and minor stroke are highly predictive of a subsequent disabling stroke within hours or days of the first event. The risk of subsequent stroke after a transient ischemic attack is between 2% and 17% within the first 90 days after the initial event.