Factors that can cause clots to form in the heart include enlarged heart chambers, malfunction of the heart valves and an irregular heart rate. She will check the patient’s heart to exclude a condition leading to clot formation. If there is a blockage, the doctor will decide whether this requires an operation. The doctor will also examine the neck arteries, with either a CT or an ultrasound, for a narrowing or blockage causing decreased blood supply to the brain.

The brain scan is also done to exclude another diagnosis such as a brain tumour, which can also be the cause of the symptoms. In a mini stroke, this should be normal, as the brain cells have survived. from Ī CT scan or MRI will be done, to provide a picture the brain. Initial tests will include measuring a patient’s blood pressure and doing blood tests to exclude high cholesterol and diabetes.Īt the hospital, initial tests will include checking the patient’s blood pressure. If a person has a mini stroke and is assessed in an emergency department, doctors will investigate to understand the cause of the event. Adequate investigation and treatment will reduce the risk of a disabling stroke.

Potentially serious and disabling strokes can be prevented if a mini stroke is recognised. A large stroke in which a substantial volume of brain dies can be fatal, or produce a lifetime of disability. Once a stroke does occur, treatment outcomes are much poorer. More than 40% of these happen in the first 48 hours. Patients who have had a mini stroke are 10% more likely to have a stroke over the following four weeks. These are the same factors that can lead to a stroke.Īccompanying Article: How to recognise a stroke and what you should know about their treatmentĪ mini stroke is a strong warning of something more serious, like a stroke. Heart conditions leading to an irregular and fast heart rate, called atrial fibrillation, and disorders that mean blood has a tendency to form clots, are also causes of mini strokes.

In a transient ischaemic attack though, brain function is impaired which causes symptoms, but the cells survive.Īnyone can have a mini stroke but it is more frequent in patients who have risk factors for blood vessel damage: old age, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking and raised cholesterol levels. If the cells die this is called a stroke, or ischaemic attack, as opposed to a transient ischaemic attack. Blood supply restriction to any body tissues is called ischaemia an area of the brain where the cells are deprived of blood supply is called an ischaemic area.

After effects of mini stroke