Stroke is a dangerous disease that is one of the top three causes of death in Korea. While many people are well aware of the risk of stroke, many people are not aware of ‘mini-stroke’, which can be considered a precursor symptom of stroke.
It is easy to overlook the risk of mini strokes because the symptoms do not persist and disappear. However, the number of mini-stroke patients continues to increase, and so many people are suffering from mini-stroke that the number of mini-stroke patients last year was close to 130,000.
EBS ‘Do you know about ‘mini-strokes’?’ In the episode, we are joined by neurologist Professor Kim Chi-kyung.
Let’s learn more about a disease called ‘mini stroke’ that we didn’t know about.
The symptoms disappeared when I got to the hospital, but it turned out to be a mini stroke?
A female patient in her 80s rushed to the emergency room. He said he came to the hospital because he lost energy on the left side of his body while taking a walk. After completing the imaging test with various possibilities in mind, my symptoms improved like a lie! Nevertheless, Professor Kim Chi-kyung decided to hospitalize the patient and monitor the progress of the patient for a few days. The patient’s disease diagnosed by Professor Kim was ’mini-stroke’! Why did this patient’s symptoms improve, and why did Professor Kim decide to hospitalize the patient?
A ‘mini stroke’ is a ‘transient cerebral ischemic attack’. It is a disease in which blood supply to the brain is temporarily interrupted. Stroke symptoms such as paralysis of limbs, visual impairment, and speech impairment appear and disappear within 24 hours. Because the symptoms disappear, the severity may be overlooked and the patient may not come to the hospital. But even a mini stroke is a stroke! Caution is needed as there is a high possibility of a ‘real’ stroke with aftereffects after a mini stroke. This is why the decision was made to hospitalize the patient even though the symptoms had improved. What are the characteristics of a mini stroke and how is it diagnosed?
Mini stroke, calling for a stroke!
A male patient in his 70s who had suffered a mini-stroke. I just assumed the symptoms would pass and stayed without going to the hospital. However, he recently returned to the emergency room with symptoms of dizziness, nausea, and loss of balance, and was diagnosed with cerebral infarction and discharged. After experiencing a mini stroke, I suffered a real stroke. And, shortly after being discharged from the hospital, I visited the hospital again with similar symptoms and this time was diagnosed with a mini-stroke.
Why do mini-strokes and strokes (cerebral infarctions) occur alternately in this man? This is because of ‘cholesterol’ stuck in the blood vessels. Blood vessels to the brain are blocked due to vascular calcification that occurs when bad cholesterol accumulates in the blood vessels.
Mini-strokes require extra caution because they may not last just once. Mini-stroke is a typical precursor symptom of stroke, and if not treated, there is a high risk of another stroke occurring within the first week or up to a month. In particular, high-risk patients must be cautious of recurrence of mini-stroke. Who are the high-risk patients for mini-stroke?
What is ‘this’ that can cause a mini stroke?
A male patient in his 60s said his legs were numb and when he tried to drink water, the water leaked without his knowledge. Fortunately, with the help of a bystander who immediately recognized the symptoms of a stroke, I went to the emergency room. I did not have arteriosclerosis, which is a buildup of cholesterol in the cerebral blood vessels. So, what caused this man’s stroke? After several tests, it was discovered that a blood clot in the heart had flown into a blood vessel in the brain. Another male patient in his 70s, who had previously suffered a cerebral infarction, visited the hospital due to numbness in his fingers and was diagnosed with severe ‘carotid artery stenosis.’ Both patients underwent the procedure to reduce the risk of stroke.
Both patients could have been in even greater trouble if they had not visited the hospital even though their symptoms had improved.
Mini-strokes can be caused by many factors, but the common thing to watch out for is ‘blood clots’. There is a possibility that a stroke may occur due to a problem with the blood vessel itself, but there is also a high risk of a blood clot occurring in another area flying toward the cerebral blood vessel. For this reason, it is said that prevention of mini-strokes is even more important for patients with diseases that damage blood vessels, such as hyperlipidemia, high blood pressure, and diabetes…. They say that mini-strokes require treatment similar to strokes and require lifelong medication. Is this true?
Couple even shares a mini-stroke?
A male patient in his 70s who underwent carotid stent surgery due to a mini stroke. In fact, his wife also suffered a mini-stroke a year ago. I went to the emergency room due to sudden vomiting and paralysis, but the symptoms soon improved. After being hospitalized, he experienced the same symptoms again the next day and ended up in the intensive care unit. Coincidentally, the couple suffered a mini stroke. What does this mean?
Stroke is a disease caused by lifestyle habits. So, even if a couple does not share genes, if they share lifestyle habits, they can both suffer a mini-stroke. If a couple lives together for several decades, including food, exercise, and sleep, lifestyle habits themselves can become risk factors even if there are no risk factors for stroke. Through the case of a couple, we look at the relationship between mini-strokes and daily lifestyle habits.
EBS ‘Do you know about ‘mini-strokes’?’ In this episode, we take a closer look at the still unfamiliar disease called ‘mini-stroke’ with neurologist Professor Kim Chi-kyung. ‘Do you know about ‘mini-strokes’?’ The episode will be broadcast on EBS 1TV at 9:55 pm on Friday, November 1, and can be viewed again on the EBS website.
Economy Queen Reporter Park Yu-mi Photo EBS
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Interview Between Time.news Editor and Neurologist Professor Kim Chi-kyung
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Professor Kim Chi-kyung! Thank you for joining us today to discuss the critical but often overlooked topic of mini-strokes. To start, could you explain what a mini-stroke is and how it differs from a full-blown stroke?
Professor Kim: Thank you for having me. A mini-stroke, medically known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA), occurs when there is a temporary disruption of blood flow to the brain. Unlike a full stroke, where the symptoms may lead to permanent damage, the symptoms of a mini-stroke appear and disappear within 24 hours. However, even though the symptoms are transient, they are serious warnings that should not be ignored.
Time.news Editor: I understand that many people aren’t even aware they’ve experienced a mini-stroke. What are the common symptoms that individuals should look out for?
Professor Kim: Exactly. The symptoms can include temporary weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, difficulty speaking, visual disturbances, and loss of balance. Since these symptoms might resolve quickly, patients often think they were just experiencing a momentary issue and may not seek help. However, these transient symptoms can indicate an underlying vulnerability that could lead to a more severe stroke.
Time.news Editor: It seems alarming that nearly 130,000 individuals experienced mini-strokes last year alone. What do you think is contributing to this rise in mini-stroke incidents?
Professor Kim: Several factors can influence the increase in mini-stroke incidents, including an aging population, rising levels of hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia—conditions that affect blood vessel health. Moreover, lifestyle choices such as poor diet and lack of exercise may contribute to vascular issues that predispose individuals to mini-strokes.
Time.news Editor: In a recent case shared on EBS, a female patient rushed to the hospital due to sudden leg weakness; her symptoms had improved by the time she arrived. Why did you decide to hospitalize her despite her condition appearing stable?
Professor Kim: That was an essential decision. Even though her symptoms had improved, it’s crucial to monitor any patient who exhibits transient neurological symptoms. Mini-strokes can be precursors to more significant events, and early intervention can significantly impact outcomes. In this case, we needed to understand the underlying causes and ensure there was no ongoing risk to her health.
Time.news Editor: You mentioned risk factors. What specific groups should be particularly vigilant about mini-strokes?
Professor Kim: High-risk groups include individuals with a history of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol levels, and those who smoke. It’s crucial for these patients to be aware of the risks and to seek immediate medical evaluation if they experience any transient neurological symptoms.
Time.news Editor: Prevention seems vital. What steps can individuals take to reduce the likelihood of experiencing a mini-stroke?
Professor Kim: Absolutely! Lifestyle changes can significantly reduce risk—maintaining a balanced diet, regular exercise, managing stress, quitting smoking, and controlling chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes. Regular check-ups with healthcare providers are also essential to monitor and manage these risks effectively.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Professor Kim. This discussion emphasizes the importance of awareness and prompt action regarding mini-strokes. Any final thoughts to share with our readers?
Professor Kim: I urge everyone to take transient neurological symptoms seriously. If you or someone you know experiences sudden weakness, trouble speaking, or other alarming signs, don’t hesitate—seek medical help immediately. It’s better to be cautious and get checked than to miss a crucial warning sign.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Professor Kim, for your insights today. It’s crucial information for our readers and can potentially save lives.
Professor Kim: Thank you for having me! Let’s continue to raise awareness about this critical health issue.