Symptoms of a minor stroke it is recommended not to ignore even if it only lasts a few minutes and causes no damage, but this condition can be a warning. Because 1 in 3 people who have had a mild stroke, can have a stroke and about half occur within a year.
Minor stroke in medical language is also called a transient ischemic attack (momentary) or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA). This condition has the same meaning as a stroke, namely an obstruction of blood flow to the brain. Minor strokes occur due to deposits of cholesterol containing fat, known as plaque (atherosclerosis), in the arteries that deliver oxygen and nutrients to the brain.
A person's risk for a minor stroke will be higher if:
- Over 55 years of age.
- Have had a previous minor stroke or have a family history of minor stroke.
- Being overweight or obese.
- Have a smoking habit.
- Suffering from certain diseases, such as heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias), diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, and sickle cell anemia.
The difference with a stroke, the blockage is short-lived and usually does not cause permanent damage. However, in some cases, this condition can develop into a stroke.
Recognize the Symptoms of a Minor Stroke
People who have had a mild stroke need to get medical examination and treatment at the hospital immediately. The following are the symptoms of a minor stroke that need to be recognized:
- Paralysis on one side of the body, such as the face, arm, or leg.
- Speech becomes slurred, slurred, and unclear.
- Confusion or difficulty understanding other people's words.
- Blurred vision, or even blindness in one or both eyes.
- Sudden tingling or numbness in certain parts of the body.
- Dizziness or sudden loss of balance.
- Severe headache without any cause that appears suddenly.
Prevent Minor Stroke
Given that minor strokes have the potential to develop into strokes, it is important to prevent them. The following are some ways to prevent minor strokes that you can do from now on:
1. Lowering high blood pressure
Uncontrolled high blood pressure is the biggest risk factor that can increase a person's risk of having a minor stroke. Therefore, keep your blood pressure no more than 120/80 mmHg.
The trick is to eat lots of fruits and vegetables, reduce consumption of salt or salty foods, and avoid foods that contain high cholesterol. Do not forget to exercise for about 30 minutes every day, stop smoking, and increase consumption of omega-3 fatty acids, such as eggs and fish.
2. Lose weight
Obesity can increase a person's chances of having a minor stroke. If you are already overweight, it is advisable to lose weight so that the risk of stroke is reduced.
3. Doing exercise regularly
Exercise has an important role to lose weight and keep blood pressure stable. Several types of exercise, such as walking, jogging, swimming, cycling, or physical exercise in gym, which is done at least 4-5 times a week can reduce the risk of minor strokes and heart disease.
4. Treating diabetes
Diabetics with high blood sugar levels in their bodies can experience damage and blockages in the blood vessels. If you damage the blood vessels of the brain, then the risk of having a stroke will be higher.
Therefore, control blood sugar levels by maintaining eating patterns and portions, exercising regularly, and taking medicines that have been prescribed by a doctor.
5. Quitting smoking habits
Smoking can increase the risk of stroke because it makes your blood thicken and increases the risk of atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of plaque that can clog blood vessels. That is why, quitting smoking is one way to reduce the risk of a minor stroke.
If you experience minor stroke symptoms as mentioned above, do not delay to immediately go to the hospital so that this condition can be treated as soon as possible by a neurologist. The sooner a minor stroke is treated, the lower the risk of this disease developing into a stroke.