Patient Education: Diseases Conditions Treatments & Procedures

TIA

Introduction

A TIA, also referred to as a transient ischemic attack, is a temporary interruption of blood flow to a part of your brain.

The signs and symptoms of TIA are the same as for a stroke, but they last for a shorter period - several minutes to 24 hours - and then disappear, without leaving apparent permanent effects. You may have more than one TIA, and the recurrent signs and symptoms may be similar or different.

A TIA indicates a serious underlying risk that a full-blown stroke may follow. People who have had a TIA are much more likely to have a stroke as are those who haven't had a TIA.

TIA symptoms are the same as those of stroke, only temporary:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause