Mini-Strokes Linked to Year-Long Fatigue, Surprising Study Finds

Imagine thinking a mini-stroke is just a fleeting hiccup, only to find it’s left you dragging like a smartphone on 1% battery. A new study from Aalborg University Hospital in Denmark, published in Neurology, reveals that transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), or mini-strokes, can cause prolonged fatigue lasting up to a year. These temporary blockages of blood flow to the brain, which often resolve within a day, pack a surprising long-term punch.

The study tracked 354 people, averaging 70 years old, who experienced a TIA. Over 12 months, participants reported fatigue across five areas: overall tiredness, physical exhaustion, reduced activity, lack of motivation, and mental fog. On a scale of 4 to 20 (20 being utterly drained), they scored an average of 12.3 two weeks post-TIA, dipping slightly to 11.1 by the one-year mark. Shockingly, 61% reported high fatigue levels shortly after the event, with 54% still struggling after a year.

Fatigue isn’t just a bad day—it’s a serious hurdle. Those with persistent exhaustion were twice as likely to face anxiety or depression, hinting at deeper neurological impacts. Dr. Birgitte Hede Ebbesen, a physiotherapist at Aalborg, noted that fatigue levels in TIA patients rival those seen in full-blown strokes. This isn’t just about feeling sleepy; it’s the brain working overtime to rewire itself, battling inflammation, or grappling with disrupted neurotransmitters like serotonin or dopamine.

Other culprits? Sleep disturbances, medications like beta-blockers, and the mental strain of everyday tasks post-TIA. Dr. Bradley Serwer, a cardiologist not involved in the study, emphasized that the brain’s healing process demands serious energy, leaving patients wiped out. The study’s lead, Dr. Modrau, urges healthcare providers to monitor TIA patients for lingering fatigue, as many are dismissed as ‘lucky’ despite ongoing struggles.

While the study relies on self-reported data and lacks pre-TIA fatigue baselines, its findings are a wake-up call. Mini-strokes may be brief, but their effects can linger like an unwanted guest, demanding better care and attention for those affected.