News from my Cardiologist Re: TIAs !!

[Braveheart]

Hey Friends

I received a letter this morning from my cardiologist. He said that he agrees I should get a 2nd opinion with a Neurologist regarding the suspected TIAs I have been experiencing. He has referred me to a friend and close colleague of his, who is a Professor in Neurology in London. he specialises in stroke and TIAs. So all I have to do now is call and make the appointment.

I pray I may get some answers soon to these bizzare episodes.

Take care and keep well friends,

Jonathan

 

[Nancy]

That's good news Jonathan. Wishing you the best and I'm sure there will be help for you.

Take care,

 

[Gillian (in UK)]

Good luck

Good luck

Jonathan - Good to know that at least you're being heard. Hope you get some answers that will give you peace of mind.

 

[Bob Gleason]

Good for You Jonathan

Good for You Jonathan

Glad to hear your news.......I am on my way to Columbia, in NYC where I had my surgery to consult with the cardio that was pre-op and post-op my surgery. As you know I believe that I am experiencing TIAs as well and tests have proven to date to be negative.

I am hoping your visit with this new cardio at least can provide some new insight to your (our) problem.

Good luck and please keep me posted.

 

[gary47]

What is a TIA?

 

[Nancy]

This is from the American Heart Association:

What is a TIA or transient ischemic (TRANZ'e-ent is-KEM'ik) attack?

A TIA is a "little stroke" or "mini-stroke" that produces stroke-like symptoms but no lasting damage. Recognizing and treating TIAs can reduce your risk of a major stroke.

Most strokes aren?t preceded by TIAs. However, of the people who?ve had one or more TIAs, more than a third will later have a stroke. In fact, a person who?s had one or more TIAs is many times more likely to have a stroke than someone of the same age and sex who hasn?t.

TIAs are more useful for predicting if a stroke will occur rather than when one will happen. They can occur days, weeks or even months before a major stroke. In about half of the cases, the stroke occurs within one year of the TIA.

What causes a transient ischemic attack?

TIAs occur when a blood clot temporarily clogs an artery, and part of the brain doesn?t get the blood it needs. The symptoms occur rapidly and last a relatively short time. Most TIAs last less than five minutes. The average is about a minute. Unlike stroke, when a TIA is over, there?s no injury to the brain.

What are the symptoms of a TIA?

It?s very important to recognize the warning signs of a TIA or stroke. The usual TIA symptoms are the same as those of stroke, only temporary:

Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
The short duration of these symptoms and lack of permanent brain injury is the main distinction between TIA and stroke.

 

[mimi314]

TIA's

TIA's

Thank you Nancy for the definition of TIA's. I wanted to ask the same question, but was afraid I'd be referred to a medical website for the answer. These sites are great, but sometimes it takes so long to finally get an answer, you've usually forgotten the question and have lost the thread. Keep up the good work!
Barbara (mimi)

 

[Shari]

You learn something new everyday! I didn't know what a TIA was either. Thank you Nancy for the defintion. I'll pass it along to my husband so he's aware of symptoms. Thanks to the poster who didn't know what it was either. See...teachers are right...there are no stupid questions.