WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
A transient (TRANS-e-ant) ischemic (is-SKI-mik) attack,
called a TIA for short, is often a warning signal of an
impending stroke. Pieces of fat or blood clots can block an
artery leading to the brain. When this happens, a part of the
brain does not get enough oxygen and the symptoms of a TIA
appear. With a TIA, the artery is only blocked a short
time. With a stroke, the blockage lasts much longer, causing
brain damage.
Causes
High blood pressure, diabetes, excess weight, high
amounts of fat in the blood (cholesterol), and
smoking.
Signs/Symptoms
Appear suddenly, last less than
24 hours, and go away completely. Typical signs include seeing
double, loss of vision, fainting or dizziness, a weak or numb
feeling on one side of the face or body, or trouble swallowing
or speaking.
Hospital Care
May include medicines that thin
the blood or lower blood pressure. You may need surgery to
remove a blockage from the artery.
Do's/Don'ts
To keep from having more TIAs,
you may need to take aspirin every day; quit smoking; eat foods
low in fat, cholesterol, and salt; lose weight; and start
exercising. If you have other illnesses (diabetes, high blood
pressure, or heart disease), it is important to keep them under
control.
Risks
If you aren't treated, you will
have more attacks and maybe a stroke. Most TIAs are caused by
other diseases. If these diseases are not found and treated,
you could have a stroke, heart attack, or other serious
problems.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
-
Always take your medicine as directed by your doctor.
If you feel it is not helping, call your doctor, but do not
quit taking it on your own.
-
If you take aspirin regularly, continue taking it.
Aspirin helps thin the blood so blood clots don't form. Do
not take acetaminophen or ibuprofen
instead.
-
Have your blood pressure checked. You may want to buy
a blood pressure cuff. Ask your doctor to show you or a
family member how to use it.
-
If you have other illnesses such as diabetes, high
blood pressure, or heart disease, you need to control them.
Take medicines as directed. If you don't, you will have a
greater chance of having another
attack.
-
Check with your doctor before starting exercise or
having sex.
-
Exercise daily. It helps make the heart stronger,
lowers blood pressure, and keeps you healthy. If the
exercise is too hard or too easy, call your
doctor.
-
Quit smoking. It harms the heart and lungs. If you
are having trouble quitting, ask your doctor for
help.
-
Weighing too much can make the heart work harder. If
you need to lose weight, ask your doctor about the best way
of doing it.
-
A diet low in fat, salt, and cholesterol is very
important. It keeps your heart healthy and strong. Ask your
doctor what you should and should not
eat.
Call Your Doctor If...
-
You have chest pain during exercise that doesn't go
away with rest.
-
Your blood pressure is high.
-
You feel worse after taking your
medicine.
-
You feel your medicine is not
working.
-
You are on a blood thinner and you are bruising
easily or have blood in your urine.
Seek Care Immediately If...
-
You cannot speak, move part of your body, or see; if
you have blurred vision, or if you become dizzy, confused,
or unconscious. These are signs of a stroke.
THIS IS AN EMERGENCY. Call 911 or 0 (operator) to
get to the nearest hospital or clinic.
Do not drive yourself!
-
You have the above symptoms but they go away. You may
be having a TIA.
Call 911 or 0 (operator) to get to the nearest
hospital or clinic.
Do not drive yourself!
IF YOU'RE HEADING FOR THE
HOSPITAL...
What to Expect While You're
There
You may encounter the following
procedures and equipment during your stay.
-
Taking Vital Signs: These include your temperature,
blood pressure, pulse (counting your heartbeats), and
respirations (counting your breaths). A stethoscope is used
to listen to your heart and lungs. Your blood pressure is
taken by wrapping a cuff around your
arm.
-
Pulse Oximeter: While you are getting oxygen, you
may be hooked up to a pulse oximeter (ox-IM-ih-ter). It is
placed on your ear, finger, or toe and is connected to a
machine that measures the oxygen in your
blood.
-
ECG: Also called a heart monitor, an
electrocardiograph (e-LEK-tro-CAR-dee-o-graf), or EKG. The
patches on your chest are hooked up to a TV-type screen or
a small portable box (telemetry unit). This screen shows a
tracing of each heartbeat. Your heart will be watched for
signs of injury or damage that could be related to your
illness.
-
12 Lead ECG: This test makes tracings from different
parts of your heart. It can help your doctor decide whether
there is a problem with your heart.
-
Oxygen: Your body may need extra oxygen at this
time. It is given either by a mask or nasal prongs. Tell
your doctor if the oxygen is drying out your nose or if the
nasal prongs bother you.
-
IV: A tube placed in your vein for giving medicine
or liquids. It will be capped or have tubing connected to
it.
-
Blood: Usually taken from a vein in your hand or
from the bend in your elbow. Tests will be done on the
blood.
-
Medicine:
-
Heparin: Keeps the blood thin so no other clots
can form. It is given in an IV. Later, you may get other
blood thinners.
-
Blood Thinners: These include aspirin and
warfarin. They are given by mouth as a replacement for
heparin. Like heparin, they keep the blood from forming
clots.
-
Blood Pressure Medicine: Given for constant high
blood pressure. At first it may be given in an IV, and
later in a pill.
-
CT Scan: It is also called a ""CAT'' scan. This is
an x-ray using a computer. It is used to make pictures of
your internal organs.
-
Lumbar Puncture: Also called a spinal tap. Fluid is
taken from your spine and sent for
tests.
-
EEG: Also called an electroencephalogram
(e-LEK-tro-en-SEF-uh-lo-gram). This is a brain wave
study.
-
Chest X-ray: This is a picture of your lungs and
heart. The care givers use it to see how your heart and
lungs are handling the illness.
-
Surgery: This may be needed to take out a large
blockage in one of your arteries.
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