Transient ischemic attack (TIA), commonly called a "mini stroke" due to its similar mechanism and symptoms to a full stroke, may actually be a warning sign of an impending stroke, medical experts caution.
Dr. Mitchell S.V. Elkind, a neurology professor at Columbia University, said in a recent interview with health media outlet Healthline that "a transient ischemic attack is essentially a forewarning that something is wrong with the body, so it can actually be a 'blessed warning.'"
Experts stress that even minor symptoms should not be dismissed, as what people assume to be a migraine could in fact be a precursor to stroke.
TIA occurs when blood flow to the brain is temporarily blocked by a blood clot or plaque buildup in the arteries. Symptoms typically disappear within minutes as the causative clot naturally dissolves or moves, restoring blood flow.
TIA leaves no permanent brain damage, and abnormalities are difficult to detect on CT scans or brain imaging. The problem is that symptoms appear suddenly and vanish quickly, and their varied forms make them easy to mistake for minor health issues such as migraines.
The risk, however, is significant. According to the American Heart Association, up to two out of 10 people who do not receive immediate treatment for TIA experience a stroke within 90 days. The medical community uses the acronym "BE FAST" to help people quickly recognize symptoms: B (Balance — sudden loss of balance, dizziness, loss of coordination), E (Eyes — sudden vision changes or loss of sight in one or both eyes), F (Face — facial drooping, numbness, asymmetric smile), A (Arms — weakness or numbness in one or both arms or legs), and S (Speech — slurred speech or difficulty speaking or understanding). If any of these symptoms appear, patients should immediately visit an emergency room or call 119, Korea's emergency number, without delay.
The major risk factors are hypertension, type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol. These chronic conditions damage and weaken blood vessels, making them stiff and narrow.
Obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption and drug use also increase the risk. The risk rises with age, and those over 55 should be particularly vigilant about TIA.
