A Stroke Warning You Should Pay Attention To: TIA’s


James Gebel, MD, neurologist 
Cleveland Clinic Neurological Institute at Lakewood Hospital

A transient ischemic attack, or TIA, can be a warning signal that a major stroke is on the way. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that you take any stroke-like symptoms seriously—even if they pass.

Our bodies are pretty good at letting us know when something has gone wrong, or is about to go wrong. What happens afterward can become a difference between life and death. That’s why it’s important to recognize the symptoms and then do something about it!

Oftentimes, a TIA can mirror the symptoms of a major stroke, but last only for a brief period time. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, about 33 percent of the people who have a TIA or mini-stroke, will later have a more severe stroke. Therefore, TIA’s should be considered a warning.

“Similar to major strokes, a TIA takes place when blood doesn't reach the brain. The difference with a TIA, and the reason they are so often ignored, is because the blockage lasts for a short period of time without apparent side-effects,” according to James Gebel, MD, neurologist at the Cleveland Clinic Neurological Institute at Lakewood Hospital.

The symptoms from a TIA will usually happen abruptly and generally last less than an hour.

The symptoms include:

• Sudden onset of numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, particularly on one side of the body
  
• Sudden onset of confusion and difficulty speaking
  
• Sudden onset of vision loss or blindness in one or both eyes or sudden double vision
  
• Sudden onset of trouble walking, dizziness, or unexplained loss of balance or coordination
  
• Sudden onset of the ‘worst headache ever’ with an unknown cause

“If you or a loved one experiences any of these symptoms, seek emergency medical attention,” says Dr. Gebel. “Think of the TIA as a warning sign that you may have some underlying health problems that may cause a stroke to occur.

Dr. Gebel is a Cleveland Clinic board-certified vascular neurologist and sees patients at the Cleveland Clinic Neurological Institute at Lakewood Hospital. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Gebel, please call 216.529.7110.