Your ongoing fatigue could indicate something more serious.
A recent study in Neurology has uncovered a connection between chronic fatigue and temporary ischemic attacks (TIAs), often referred to as “mini strokes.”
This raises an important question: how concerned should you be?
TIAs involve brief interruptions in blood flow to the brain, provoking symptoms akin to a stroke that typically last between 2 to 15 minutes.
Individuals who experience a TIA are generally at heightened risk for a major stroke shortly thereafter.
New research indicates that those affected by TIAs may endure long-lasting effects, including fatigue.
“Individuals who have undergone a temporary ischemic attack might exhibit symptoms such as facial droop, weakness in the arms, or slurred speech, which usually resolve within a day,” explains Boris Modrau, MD, from Aalborg University Hospital in Denmark.
“Nevertheless, some individuals report ongoing challenges like diminished quality of life, cognitive issues, anxiety, depression, and persistent fatigue. Our study revealed that fatigue can remain common even a year after a TIA.”
This study tracked patients post-ministroke for a year, with participants filling out questionnaires that assessed overall fatigue, physical tiredness, activity reduction, and mental fatigue.
“Chronic fatigue is prevalent among our study group. Those who reported fatigue within two weeks of leaving the hospital were more likely to still experience it a year later,” Modrau noted.
It was also found that a history of anxiety and depression was twice as common among those who experienced significant fatigue.
Brain scans of participants showed that the presence of blood clots was similar in those who reported lasting fatigue and those who did not.
One limitation of the study is that responses were self-reported, which might mean they were influenced by family members or caretakers.
Experts indicate that TIAs often serve as warning signs for more severe strokes down the line, with a considerable increased risk for cognitive decline and dementia.
“A stroke is characterized by symptoms lasting longer than a few hours and tends to be more permanent,” remarked Dr. Rafael Sacho, a director of cerebrovascular and endovascular neurosurgery at Northwell Staten Island University Hospital. “While strokes are usually visible on brain MRI scans, TIAs often do not exhibit these indications.”
Common symptoms of TIAs include:
- Weakness, numbness, or paralysis on one side of the body (face, arms, legs)
- Loss of vision, blurry or double vision, or difficulty seeing with one or both eyes
- Difficulty speaking or finding words
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Confusion or issues understanding others
- Unexplained severe headaches
- Challenges with walking, swallowing, reading, or writing
- Tingling on one side of the body
Experts agree that stroke prevention is closely tied to better cardiovascular health, like managing blood pressure, lowering cholesterol, and controlling diabetes.
The American Stroke Association (ASA) encourages all adults to adopt a Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats, while minimizing lean meats and sugars.
Additionally, the ASA, affiliated with the American Heart Association, advocates for stroke risk reduction through regular exercise, adequate sleep, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding smoking.
