mdlbear | Health update (Reply)

Saw my doctor this morning to follow up on last Thursday's incident. He immediately dismissed my blood clot theory in favor of a transient ischemic attack (TIA) -- basically a transient stroke. I still suspect there was a small clot involved in the process, but... In any case, he made sure I understood that there's a treatment that can limit damage from a stroke, but it has to be done within the first three hours.

What is Transient Ischemic Attack?
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a transient stroke that lasts only a few minutes. It occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is briefly interrupted. TIA symptoms, which usually occur suddenly, are similar to those of stroke but do not last as long. Most symptoms of a TIA disappear within an hour, although they may persist for up to 24 hours. Symptoms can include: numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body; confusion or difficulty in talking or understanding speech; trouble seeing in one or both eyes; and difficulty with walking, dizziness, or loss of balance and coordination.

Is there any treatment?
Because there is no way to tell whether symptoms are from a TIA or an acute stroke, patients should assume that all stroke-like symptoms signal an emergency and should not wait to see if they go away. A prompt evaluation (within 60 minutes) is necessary to identify the cause of the TIA and determine appropriate therapy. Depending on a patient's medical history and the results of a medical examination, the doctor may recommend drug therapy or surgery to reduce the risk of stroke in people who have had a TIA. The use of antiplatelet agents, particularly aspirin, is a standard treatment for patients at risk for stroke. People with atrial fibrillation (irregular beating of the heart) may be prescribed anticoagulants.

What is the prognosis?
TIAs are often warning signs that a person is at risk for a more serious and debilitating stroke. About one-third of those who have a TIA will have an acute stroke some time in the future. Many strokes can be prevented by heeding the warning signs of TIAs and treating underlying risk factors. The most important treatable factors linked to TIAs and stroke are high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, heart disease, carotid artery disease, diabetes, and heavy use of alcohol. Medical help is available to reduce and eliminate these factors. Lifestyle changes such as eating a balanced diet, maintaining healthy weight, exercising, and enrolling in smoking and alcohol cessation programs can also reduce these factors.

He also changed my medications: I'm now taking a combination ACE inhibitor and thiazide diuretic (lisinopril plus hydrochlorothiazide) to lower my blood pressure, and a statin (lovastatin) to lower my cholesterol. The latter is incompatible with grapefruit; I'll miss it, but only a little. The thiazide apparently makes me more sun sensitive, but I've been taking a similar one for a year or so with no problems. I need to remember to wear my floppy hat when I'm out for my walk.

And I need to walk more. I've been slacking off the last couple of months.