As a neurologist at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital, I find that physicians may refer to a TIA as a “warning” because they often precede an actual ischemic stroke. Approximately 1 in 3 people who have a TIA will go on to have a stroke, roughly half of those people within a year.
For this reason, it’s important to take TIAs very seriously. When you heed the warning a TIA represents, steps can be taken to prevent a true ischemic stroke from taking place.
Stroke prevention is the primary reason patients need to be evaluated immediately after having a TIA. Several risk factors increase the risk of subsequent stroke, including:
The presence of significant narrowing of a major artery to the brain also increases the risk for recurrence.
Medications such as blood thinners, blood pressure and cholesterol-lowering agents, and diabetes medications are often required to address these risk factors.
While medications help, lifestyle factors also play a significant role in reducing the risk for stroke.
Smoking cessation is very important.
A diet that includes more fruit and vegetables and less fat, sodium and added sugars is recommended.
Physical activity and regular exercise are also beneficial.
Sometimes, other medical problems that can increase risk for stroke, such as sleep apnea and cancer, need to be addressed.