Treatment and Prevention
The first thing to do after a recent TIA is to be assessed by a physician to confirm the diagnosis, and to begin treatments to lower the risk of having a stroke. Basically, this involves use of antiplatelet medications to minimize the chance of further clot formation. Aspirin, ticlopidine*, clopidogrel, and a combination of aspirin and dipyridamole are medications that are commonly used to "thin" the blood, break up existing blood clots, and inhibit blood clot formation
In special circumstances, an anticoagulant medication called warfarin or heparin may be prescribed for stroke prevention. Other medications such as blood pressure-lowering agents and cholesterol-lowering agents may be considered for long-term stroke risk reduction.
Surgery for blockages in the carotid artery may be recommended for stroke prevention if there is severe (more than 70%) blockage. It's important to heed the warning given by a TIA, especially when many of the risk factors for stroke can be reduced. Stop smoking, reduce excess weight, and keep alcohol intake to a minimum. It is even more important to control high blood pressure.
*All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®). The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen). A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article lists medications by their common names. For information on a given medication, check our Drug Information database. For more information on brand names, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
Kevin Sheth, MD, Department of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.