Baseline Medical

A Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) Can Be A Sign Of A Future Stroke Allentown

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) happens when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked or reduced often by a blood clot. After a short time, blood flows again and the symptoms go away. With a stroke, the blood flow stays blocked, and the brain has permanent damage. Some people call a TIA a mini-stroke, because the symptoms are those of a stroke but don't last long.

A TIA is a warning: it means you are likely to have a stroke in the future. If you think you are having a TIA, call 911 or other emergency services right away. Early treatment can help prevent a stroke. If you think you have had a TIA but your symptoms have gone away, you still need to call your doctor right away.

Symptoms of a TIA are the same as symptoms of a stroke. But symptoms of a TIA don't last very long. Most of the time, they go away in 10 to 20 minutes. They may include:

• Sudden numbness, tingling, weakness, or loss of movement in your face, arm, or leg, especially on only one side of your body.
• Sudden vision changes.
• Sudden trouble speaking.
• Sudden confusion or trouble understanding simple statements.
• Sudden problems with walking or balance.

A blood clot is the most common cause of a TIA. Blood clots can be the result of hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), heart attack, or abnormal heart rhythms. The clot can block blood flow to part of the brain. Brain cells are affected within seconds of the blockage. That causes symptoms in the parts of the body controlled by those cells. After the clot dissolves, blood flow returns, and the symptoms go away.

Source: WebMD

There is an important test that Baseline Medical provides called carotid artery IMT (intimal media thickness) ultrasound scanning. This FDA approved ten-minute painless test gives us information that can help prevent a heart attack. Hundreds of digital measurements are taken as the sonographer gently slides the ultrasound probe over each side of your neck.

We can see precisely how thick the artery walls are and it is this measurement that determines your risk of a heart attack. These data serve as your personal biomarker for your body to develop thick arterial walls. Since the area in your neck is easily accessible it serves as a window to reveal your systemic condition. If you have thickness in the carotid arteries you could also have thickness elsewhere. Should the "elsewhere" be in your coronary arteries that deliver blood flow to the heart muscle itself is why this screening opportunity is beyond good. No need to wait for chest pain or a doctor's note or the ambulance - just call us instead.

Other measurements in the carotid arteries are also obtained by Baseline Medical in another 5 minute protocol specifically for stroke risk. So for a total investment of 10 minutes - you know. This allows people to be proactive about their health and come against heart disease #1 Killer and stroke #1 Disabler immediately.

Contact Baseline Medical Today to schedule your screening.

Offices located in Allentown and Quakertown