Study: Unrelenting fatigue may be caused by undiagnosed mini-stroke

• A study by Danish researchers published in Neurology reveals that 61 percent of transient ischemic attack (TIA) patients experienced significant fatigue within two weeks of the event, with 50 percent still reporting fatigue up to one year later.
• TIAs are brief disruptions of blood flow to the brain that can cause symptoms like muscle weakness and vision changes, which typically resolve within 24 hours, leading to underdiagnosis.
• The brain’s need to compensate for the disruption in blood flow post-TIA can lead to increased energy consumption and persistent fatigue, even after physical symptoms subside.
• Participants with pre-existing anxiety or depression were twice as likely to report lasting fatigue, emphasizing the importance of addressing mental health in TIA recovery.
• The study highlights the need for healthcare providers to monitor TIA patients for signs of fatigue and to screen for stroke risk factors to improve long-term outcomes and quality of life.

A groundbreaking study suggests that persistent fatigue might be a long-term effect of a transient ischemic attack (TIA), a silent mini-stroke that often goes unrecognized.

The study by Danish researchers published in Neurology followed 354 participants, with an average age of 70, for a year after they experienced a TIA. Participants completed questionnaires to assess their fatigue levels at multiple intervals – immediately after the TIA, and at three, six and 12 months. The researchers defined fatigue using a score of 12 or higher on a standardized scale.

Sixty-one percent of participants reported significant fatigue within two weeks of the TIA. This number remained high, with 50 percent still experiencing fatigue at the three, six and 12-month marks.

A TIA is a brief disruption of blood flow to the brain that can last for up to a day. Unlike a full-blown stroke, the symptoms of a TIA, such as muscle weakness, headaches and vision changes, typically resolve within 24 hours. However, the subtle nature of these symptoms often leads to their dismissal, leaving many unaware that they have experienced a mini-stroke. (Related: Consumption of citrus fruits linked to lower stroke risk.)

Lead study author and neurology professor Boris Modrau underscored the long-term impact of TIAs. The health issue affects more than 240,000 Americans and 45,000 Brits annually, with only one in 30 people realizing they have had a TIA.

“People with a transient ischemic attack can have symptoms such as face drooping, arm weakness or slurred speech, and these resolve within a day,” said Modrau. “However, some have reported continued challenges including reduced quality of life, thinking problems, depression, anxiety and fatigue.”

Why fatigue lingers after a TIA: A brain energy crisis?

The persistence of fatigue even after physical symptoms have subsided points to a complex interplay between brain function and energy levels. One key factor in this persistent fatigue is the brain’s need to compensate for the temporary disruption in blood flow.

“The brain has to work harder to complete tasks after a TIA,” explained Modrau. “This increased effort can lead to higher energy consumption and persistent fatigue.”

The study also revealed a strong correlation between fatigue and pre-existing mental health conditions. Participants with a history of anxiety or depression were twice as likely to report lasting fatigue. This finding underscores the importance of addressing mental health in the context of TIA recovery.

The study’s findings have significant implications for healthcare practices. Modrau emphasized the need for healthcare providers to be vigilant about signs of fatigue in TIA patients.

“Long-term fatigue was common in our group of study participants,” he elaborated. “We found that if people experience fatigue within two weeks after leaving the hospital, it is likely they will continue to have fatigue for up to a year.”

For future studies, researchers recommend following TIA patients in the weeks and months that follow to better understand the long-term effects and provide appropriate care. “This could help us better understand who might struggle with fatigue long-term and require further care,” Modrau concluded.

The American Stroke Association has issued updated guidelines urging healthcare workers to screen for stroke risk factors such as high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, high blood sugar and obesity. These factors are critical in preventing both TIAs and full-blown strokes. It also suggests cutting stroke risk by exercising regularly, getting sufficient sleep, maintaining a healthy weight, controlling cholesterol, managing blood pressure and blood sugar and avoiding smoking.

Meanwhile, the American Heart Association encourages a Mediterranean diet no matter their stroke risk. The plant-based eating plan emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats and not red meat and sugar.

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Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

Neurology.org

TimesOfIndia.IndiaTimes.com

NYPost.com

Brighteon.com