Mr. A, an office worker in his 50s, suddenly dropped the cup he was holding while getting ready for work in the morning. His speech became slurred, and he was unable to properly answer his wife's question, "Are you okay?"
A few minutes later, the symptoms disappeared, and Mr. A thought it was a temporary phenomenon caused by excessive work stress. However, at his family's urging, he visited a hospital and, after hearing the doctor's explanation that "there is a high possibility of a transient ischemic attack," underwent a thorough examination.
Our brain receives blood containing oxygen and nutrients through blood vessels. When a cerebral blood vessel becomes blocked (cerebral infarction) or ruptures (cerebral hemorrhage) due to various causes, brain cells are damaged. Collectively, these conditions are referred to as stroke.
Among them, a transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a condition in which blood flow is temporarily blocked and then quickly restored, causing symptoms to disappear before brain damage occurs. This can happen when a blood clot that temporarily blocks a vessel dissolves naturally, or when nearby blood vessels compensate for the blood flow, leading to a temporary improvement in symptoms.
Transient ischemic attacks are mainly caused by atherosclerosis or blood clots. Major risk factors include hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, heart disease, smoking, obesity, and advanced age.
Symptoms are very similar to those of stroke and include: ▲paralysis or numbness in one arm or leg ▲slurred speech or difficulty speaking properly ▲difficulty understanding others' speech ▲frequent falling to one side ▲visual field defects or double vision ▲dizziness. However, the distinguishing feature is that these symptoms usually disappear within a few minutes to an hour.
Because the symptoms of a transient ischemic attack appear suddenly and then quickly resolve, many people do not take them seriously and do not seek medical attention. However, this is an important warning sign indicating a temporary disruption in cerebral blood flow. If the cause is not accurately diagnosed and treated, there is a high risk of progression to an actual stroke.
According to some studies, about 17 to 20% of patients experience a stroke within three months after a transient ischemic attack, and the risk is about five times higher than that of the general population. However, if appropriate treatment is received early, about 80% of cases can be prevented, making prompt hospital visits and treatment essential.
Diagnosis is made based on the patient's symptoms along with MRI, CT, ultrasound, and blood tests. Depending on the results, medication, angiography, or surgical intervention may be necessary.
Choi Jaehyuk, director of the Cerebrovascular Center at Daedong Hospital (neurosurgeon), said, "The most fundamental way to protect your health is to maintain a balanced lifestyle and undergo regular health checkups. It is crucial not to ignore even minor signals from your body," and added, "If you experience unusual symptoms such as temporary dizziness, speech disturbances, or paralysis, you should immediately visit a hospital to check your health status."
He continued, "In particular, if you have underlying conditions such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, or heart disease, you are at higher risk for cerebrovascular disease and should manage these conditions proactively."
Cerebrovascular diseases, including transient ischemic attacks, can occur without warning, but they can be prevented through healthy lifestyle habits.
It is important to consistently manage blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels, avoid smoking and excessive drinking, maintain a balanced diet and regular exercise, and manage stress effectively.
Above all, regular health checkups to monitor your health status and responding early to any warning signs are key to preventing cerebrovascular diseases.
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