When you or someone around you is
experiencing these signs, call an ambulance to get help. Do not drive yourself to the hospital as the
Paramedic has the skills and equipment to treat you. This is vitally important as the quicker you
can get help, the better the outcome can be.
What is the difference between a Transient
Ischemic Attack (TIA) and a stroke? Both
are medical emergencies and require you to be seen by a medical professional. A TIA is caused by a small clot
that briefly blocks an artery that leads to your brain. It is sometimes called
a mini-stroke or warning stroke. TIA symptoms might last only a few minutes or
hours. No lasting damage occurs, but TIAs are an important warning that a more
serious stroke may occur soon. A stroke happens when blood stops flowing to any part of your
brain. This interruption causes damage to the brain cells which cannot be
repaired or replaced. The effects of your stroke depend on the part of the
brain that was damaged and the amount of damage done.
For more information, please visit www.heartandstroke.ca
Cherie deBoer is a Registered Nurse at the Leduc Beaumont Devon Primary Care Network.
