An Introduction to Treating a TIA
A transient ischemic attack (TIA), sometimes called a mini-stroke, starts just like a stroke but then resolves, leaving no noticeable symptoms or deficits. The occurrence of a TIA is a warning that the person is at risk for a serious and debilitating stroke.
Of the approximately 50,000 Americans who have a TIA each year, about one-third will have an acute stroke sometime in the future. That is why treatment is so important. Research has shown that people who get treatment for a TIA can significantly decrease their chances for a stroke.
TIA treatment may involve the following:
- Lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, changing your diet, or increasing your physical activity
- Medications used to help keep blood from clotting or to control TIA risk factors, such as high blood pressure or atrial fibrillation
- A surgery or procedure to help decrease the chances of another transient ischemic attack.
Almost everyone who has had a TIA needs to make at least some lifestyle changes as part of their treatment. These changes involve minimizing the risk factors for another TIA or even a stroke. Some of these lifestyle changes can include:
- Eating a healthy diet to prevent or lower blood pressure and blood cholesterol
- Quitting smoking.
- Exercising as directed by your doctor. Exercise is good for your overall health. It can help you lose weight, keep your cholesterol and blood pressure under control, reduce stress, and lift your mood.
- Losing weight if you are overweight or obese
- Cutting back on alcohol consumption if you drink heavily.
Medications Used to Treat a TIA
Depending on the cause of the transient ischemic attack, there may be a number of different medications your healthcare provider may recommend. Some medications may be used to treat a risk factor for a TIA, such as high blood pressure or atrial fibrillation. Others may be prescribed to decrease the chances of blood clots forming. If you do take medicine as part of your TIA treatment, it's important to maintain your healthy lifestyle, because healthy daily habits will keep your dose of medicines as low as possible.
Medications doctors may prescribe to reduce person's chances of having another TIA or stroke may include:
- Anticoagulants
- Antiplatelets.
Anticoagulants
Anticoagulants reduce the risk of another TIA by decreasing the ability for blood to clot and preventing existing clots from growing. These drugs are particularly useful in preventing the formation of clots in people with atrial fibrillation. The most commonly used anticoagulant for TIA treatment is warfarin (Coumadin®).
Antiplatelets
Antiplatelet drugs prevent clotting by decreasing the activity of platelets. Doctors prescribe antiplatelet drugs mainly for prevention of another TIA. The most widely known and used antiplatelet drug is aspirin. Other antiplatelet drugs include:
- Clopidogrel (Plavix®)
- Ticlopidine (Ticlid®)
- Dipyridamole (Persantine®)
- Aspirin and dipyridamole (Aggrenox®).
Other medications that are commonly prescribed as part of TIA treatment include medicines that will treat TIA risk factors. Some of these medications may include:
