Mild Stroke Symptoms

Mild stroke symptoms may be a warning of an upcoming stroke. Also referred as transient ischemic attack, is like a regular stroke but doesn't cause permanent damage and the it lasts only for a few minutes. About 30% of those who experience a mild one eventually end up having a stroke.

Factors that can increase the chances of having it include family history of stroke, age, cigarette smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, physical inactivity, cardiovascular disease, peripheral artery disease, carotid artery disease, obesity, high cholesterol levels and poor nutrition.

Causes

During a stroke the blood vessel that is supplying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is blocked by a buildup of fatty deposits (plaques). The plaques can lead to clot development or decrease in arterial blood flow. In this stroke, there is only partial blockage or the blockage can be only for a short time.

Symptoms

Typically, this type of stroke attack lasts for only a few minutes and the accompanying signs and symptoms disappear within one hour or so. The signs and mild stroke symptoms include: dizziness, loss of coordination or balance, difficulty understanding others, garbled or slurred speech, sudden paralysis, numbness or weakness in the face, leg or arm, and sudden blindness in one or both eyes. If these symptoms don't disappear after 24 hours, it is already considered a stroke.

It can be diagnosed by undergoing diagnostic examinations such as:

carotid ultrasonography
computerized tomography (CT) scan
computerized tomography angiography (CTA) scan
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)
transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)
arteriography

Treatment

It can be treated with medications and surgery. Surgeries that can be used to treat mild stroke include angioplasty and endarterectomy. Angioplasty is a procedure that involves mechanical widening of the obstructed or narrowed blood vessel. A balloon catheter, which is a collapsed or an empty balloon on a guide wire, is inserted into the narrowed blood vessel and with the use of water pressures, it is inflated to a fixed size to crush the fatty deposits and open up the blood vessel, leading to an improved blood flow. The balloon is then deflated and withdrawn.

Endarterectomy is recommended if the carotid artery is moderately or severely narrowed. It is widely used as a way of reducing the risk of stroke, especially when 70% of the carotid artery is already narrowed. It involves separating the plaque from the arterial wall through an incision.

Prevention

The best way to prevent it is to live a healthy lifestyle. This means stopping smoking, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, limiting fat, exercising regularly, reducing sodium, controlling underlying medical conditions such as diabetes and maintaining a healthy weight.

Mild stroke symptoms should not be taken lightly because it may be a sign that a stroke is about to occur, consult your doctor. You should take act immediately and modify your lifestyle if necessary.

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