how often can you have a TIA?

I have an elderly Mother that is having multipule TIAs a week. She all ready has had a few strokes but is still having
these TIAs it can bu up to 2-3 a day. She isn't wanting to go to Drs or Hospital because she won't go through surgury and she is ready to die. My problem is do I just keep giving her asprins for the headach she gets after one of these TIAs? How many asprins a day should I give her?

[Christopher R Newey, DO]

Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with a doctor.

Without the ability to examine and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of the symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.

First of all, your mother needs to be evaluated for this ASAP. A transient ischemic attack or TIA places her at a higher risk of stroke, particularly if she has other risk factors. I understand that she does not like doctors or hospitals, but a TIA needs to be evaluated thoroughly. It does not mean that she will need surgery. The workup may include an MRI of the brain, echocardiogram, EKG, and vascular imaging (ultrasounds or MRA). She may need a holter monitor and basic lab work including lipid profile and HgbA1c. I am not sure what caused your mother’s initial stroke, but the risk factors and underlying cause of the TIA/strokes need to be addressed.

She needs to discuss the aspirin with her examining physician. There is none to minimal benefit from increasing the dose or taking multiple aspirins, but she should at least take one daily like she is already doing.

Again, your mother needs to have the TIAs addressed ASAP.

Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.