Treatment
A TIA places you at greater risk for having a stroke. The risk is actually highest in the first week after your TIA. Therefore, rapid treatment aims to decrease stroke risk. This can be done with lifestyle changes, medication, and surgery. If the cause of the TIA is a treatable condition it must be promptly treated. Specific conditions include:
- Atrial fibrillation
- Severe anemia
- Vasculitis
Lifestyle
Smokers must quit . Patient with diabetes, hypertension , and/or high cholesterol must make every effort to manage these conditions. It can be done with:
- Regular exercise
- Appropriate dietary changes—low in saturated fat and rich in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables
- Other lifestyle interventions
Medications
In addition, doctors often prescribe medication to lower blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol. This will help lower these risk factors. Most also prescribe aspirin or other drugs to decrease the risk of clot formation. It is still unclear whether the use of several drugs together offers benefit over aspirin alone.
Surgery
If the carotid artery on the same side as the TIA is 70% blocked or more, doctors may recommend:
- A carotid endarterectomy —to remove the plaque deposits
- Other less invasive procedures
These procedures can sometimes cause strokes. It is not routinely done if there are no symptoms and less than 70% blockage.
Improved
620 HealthChanged
294 LivesSaved
210 LivesPopular this Week
- Top 10 Neurological Conditions That Affect Memory 0 reads 1 comments
- Mini-Stroke is a Medical Emergency 0 reads 1 comments
- Do You Know the Symptoms of a Stroke? 0 reads 1 comments
- If There's A History Of Coronary Artery Disease In My Family, Is There Anything I Can Do To Lower My Risk Of Developing It? 0 reads 1 comments
Connect with Women Like You 32 Women Care About this Condition
You're not alone. Connect with other women who are going through what you're going through, who understand and are here for you!
+ Join this Community
