O attack transient ischemic (AIT) it is an episode of neurological dysfunction caused by temporary ischemia. Ischemia is nothing more than an inadequate flow of blood to a specific part of the body, being, in the case of TIA, an impairment of blood flow in the nervous system.
TIA is a serious problem that deserves attention, as it can precede the stroke ischemic. TIA and ischemic stroke are distinguished by the fact that TIA reverses spontaneously after, generally, less than an hour, while signs of ischemic stroke remain for a time equal to or greater than 24 hours.
Read too: Heart attack — one of the main causes of death in Brazil
Topics of this article
- 1 - Summary of transient ischemic attack (TIA)
- 2 - What is a transient ischemic attack?
- 3 - Risk factors for transient ischemic attack
- 4 - Symptoms of transient ischemic attack
- 5 - Why should we pay attention to transient ischemic attacks?
- 6 - Diagnosis of transient ischemic attack
- 7 - Treatment of transient ischemic attack
Brief on transient ischemic attack (TIA)
Transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a transient problem caused by focal ischemia of the brain, spinal cord or retina in the absence of acute infarction.
Age over 60 and problems such as high cholesterol, diabetes and hypertension are risk factors for TIA.
Numbness on one side of the body, decrease or change in speech, change in vision, vertigo and loss of sensation are symptoms of TIA.
TIA symptoms, although transient, should not be ignored.
TIA is one of the main risk factors for triggering an ischemic stroke.
What is transient ischemic attack?
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is “a transient episode of neurological dysfunction caused by focal ischemia of the brain, spinal cord, or retina in the absence of acute infarction,” according to with definition of the Assistance Guideline — Transient Ischemic Attack of Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein.
In TIA, what is observed is a temporary ischemia, that is, one artery is temporarily blocked by a thrombus, causing the blood not to flow properly in that region. This temporary picture is popularly known as an "initial stroke".
We can differentiate a TIA from an ischemic stroke due to the fact that in a TIA there is a spontaneous reversal of the problem, usually in less than an hour. In the case of stroke, there is a clinical picture with persistent signs, which last 24 hours or more.
Do not stop now... There's more after the publicity ;)
Risk factors for transient ischemic attack
Although TIA can occur in anyone, some risk factors are considered, such as:
age above 60 years,
arterial hypertension,
high levels of cholesterol,
diabetes,
overweight,
obesity,
alcohol consumption,
smoking,
sedentary lifestyle, between others.
Read too: Top 10 causes of death in the world
Symptoms of transient ischemic attack
TIA can cause some symptoms, such as:
numbness on one side of the body;
decrease or change in speech;
visual change;
vertigo;
loss of sensitivity.
These symptoms usually last less than an hour and are very similar to those of a stroke. However, despite being transitory, it is essential to seek medical attention, as this event is considered a medical emergency.
Why should we pay attention to transient ischemic attacks?
TIA is one of the main risk factors for triggering an ischemic stroke. It is estimated that TIA may precede stroke in about 9.4% to 26% of patients, with the risk being increased in the first five years after the attack and very high in the first days after the event. In the first 48 hours after TIA, the individual has a chance of more than 10% of having an ischemic stroke.
Due to high risk of developing a stroke, it is very important not to ignore the TIA, being fundamental an immediate preventive treatment of this problem. The correct and quick diagnosis can be fundamental to avoid complications and even the individual's death.
Diagnosis of transient ischemic attack
TIA is diagnosed through the analysis of the symptoms presented by the patient and carrying out complementary exams. Among the tests that can be requested by the doctor, blood tests, electrocardiogram and skull tomography stand out.
Treatment of transient ischemic attack
Due to the high risk of triggering stroke, TIA should be treated as a medical emergency. After a thorough assessment of the case, the patient should be observed for the first 24 to 48 hours, depending on the case. In addition, administration of antiplatelet agents is recommended to reduce the risk of stroke and control risk factors. The patient should also be guided about the symptoms of the stroke, so that the recognition of this event is done quickly and help can be sought immediately.
By Vanessa Sardinha dos Santos
Biology teacher
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
SANTOS, Vanessa Sardinha dos. "Transient ischemic attack (TIA)"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/saude/ataque-isquemico-transitorio-ait.htm. Accessed on July 6, 2023.
Understand the causes and consequences of a stroke.
Learn more about diabetes mellitus, a condition that affects approximately 13 million people and can be serious if left untreated.
Click and understand what hypertension is, its symptoms, how the diagnosis is made and what the treatment of this health problem consists of.
Learn more about obesity, and understand why it is necessary to fight this health problem that is now considered a worldwide epidemic.
Learn more about the Central Nervous System, an important system for our body because it ensures, for example, decision-making by the body.
Want to better understand what smoking is? Click here and find out what this disease is, what its consequences are and the importance of quitting smoking.
Cringe
The slang adapted from English is used to designate someone who is seen as tacky, shameful, outdated and out of fashion.
Neurodiversity
A term coined by Judy Singer, it is used to describe the wide variety of ways the human mind behaves.
PL of Fake News
Also known as PL2660, it is a bill that establishes mechanisms for the regulation of social networks in Brazil.
Click here and learn all about the Victorian Era, Queen Victoria's reign period, in...
