Warning signs of stroke

I am 50 years old and was rushed to the emergency room because of sudden weakness in my limbs. The doctor said I had a transient ischemic attack and I am now completely recovered. Was this a mild stroke? Am I at risk of another stroke? Thank you, doctor! (Hong Thuy, Dong Nai).

Dr. Nguyen Ba Thang, Head of Stroke Unit, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City advises:

Transient ischemic attacks do not last long but recover after a short time. The patient has a blood vessel blockage, the brain no longer has blood supply to a certain part. Then the body automatically reconnects before the brain cells are damaged. Therefore, the patient recovers completely.

Stroke has similar symptoms but does not re-open the blood vessels, leading to brain cell death and irreversible damage. Therefore, transient ischemic attack and stroke are two different degrees of the same medical condition.

Previously, it was thought that strokes were almost without warning. However, transient ischemic attacks are an important sign that gives patients a chance to prevent a real stroke.

Doctor Nguyen Ba Thang and a patient being treated for a stroke. Photo: BVCC.

Specifically, about 7% of people with transient ischemic attacks will have a stroke within the next 2 days; 12% within 30 days and 17% within 90 days. That is, for every 100 people with transient ischemic attacks, about 7 people will have a stroke within the next 2 days; 12 people will have a stroke within the next 30 days and 17 people will have a stroke within 90 days.

In the long term, 20-30% of people with transient ischemic attack will have a real stroke.

The main symptoms of a stroke are weakness of the arms or legs, weakness of the facial muscles, and weakness of the voice. A few people may experience unsteadiness, loss of balance, or visual disturbances.

When the above symptoms occur, people do not need to wait to distinguish between a stroke or a transient ischemic attack, but need to seek emergency care immediately as if it were a stroke. If they hesitate to wait for the body to re-open the blood vessels, the patient will lose the golden time, possibly dying or suffering from sequelae.

At home, relatives only need to handle the situation by keeping the patient safe and taking them to the most appropriate hospital for emergency treatment. Bloodletting, cutting, lemon squeezing… are not beneficial but harmful to the patient.

With stroke, “time is brain”, losing time will cause more brain cells to die./.