Don’t ignore the symptoms of a minor stroke. The reason is, that 1 in 3 people who have had a minor stroke can have a stroke sometime later, especially if a minor stroke is not treated properly.
Therefore, it is important to recognize the symptoms and how to prevent them.
A minor stroke in medical language is called a transient ischemic attack (TIA).
This condition occurs because of a blockage by fatty deposits in the blood vessels that deliver oxygen and nutrients to the brain.
Over 55 years old
Have had a previous minor stroke or have a family history of minor stroke
Being overweight or obese
Have a smoking habit
Suffering from certain diseases, such as heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias), diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, and sickle cell anemia
The difference between a minor stroke and a stroke is that the blockage is short-lived and usually doesn’t cause permanent damage. However, in some cases, a minor stroke can develop into a stroke.
Recognize the Symptoms of a Minor Stroke
People who have had a minor stroke need to get a medical examination and treatment at the hospital immediately. The following are the symptoms of a minor stroke that need to be recognized:
Paralysis on one side of the body, such as the face, arm, or leg
The way of speaking becomes chaotic, slurred, and unclear
Confusion or difficulty understanding what other people are saying
Blurred vision or even blindness in one or both eyes
Sudden tingling or numbness in certain body parts
Dizziness or sudden loss of balance
Severe headache without any cause that appears suddenly
Prevent Minor Stroke
Given that a minor stroke has the potential to develop into a stroke, it is important to prevent this condition. The following are some ways to prevent minor strokes that you can do from now on:
1. Lowering high blood pressure
Uncontrolled high blood pressure is the biggest risk factor that can increase a person’s risk of having a minor stroke. Therefore, blood pressure should be maintained at no more than 120/80 mmHg.
How to maintain blood pressure is to eat lots of fruits and vegetables, reduce consumption of salt or salty foods, and avoid foods that contain high cholesterol.
In addition, do not forget to exercise for about 30 minutes every day, stop smoking, and increase consumption of omega-3 fatty acids, such as eggs and fish.
2. Lose weight
Obesity can increase a person’s chances of having a minor stroke. If you are already overweight, it is advisable to lose weight so that the risk of stroke is reduced.
3. Doing exercise regularly
Exercise has an important role to lose weight and maintain stable blood pressure. Some types of exercise, such as walking, jogging, swimming, cycling, or physical exercise at the gym, which is done at least 4-5 times a week can reduce the risk of minor strokes and heart disease.
4. Treating diabetes
Diabetics with high blood sugar levels can experience damage and blockages in the blood vessels. If the blood vessels of the brain are damaged, the risk of having a stroke will be higher.
Therefore, control blood sugar levels by maintaining eating patterns and portions, exercising regularly, and taking medicines that have been prescribed by a doctor.
5. Quitting smoking habits
The next way to prevent a mild stroke is to stop smoking. This is because smoking can make your blood thickens and increases the risk of atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of plaque that can clog blood vessels.
If you experience minor stroke symptoms as mentioned above, don’t delay going to the hospital immediately so that this condition can be treated as soon as possible by a neurologist. The sooner a minor stroke is treated, the lower the risk of this disease developing into a stroke. (*)
