Anna Werrett
Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs) are often referred to as mini-strokes, but this nickname can be misleading. While TIAs and strokes share many of the same symptoms, such as face drooping, arm numbness, and slurred speech, a TIA is a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain, and its symptoms usually last less than 24 hours. However, it is impossible to know whether you are having a TIA or a stroke while it is happening, so it is important to always assume it is a stroke and seek immediate medical attention.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Duration | TIAs last less than 24 hours, but most go away in minutes |
| Symptoms | One-sided weakness or paralysis, difficulty with or loss of speaking ability, slurred or garbled speaking, loss of muscle control on one side of the face, sudden loss of senses, blurred or double vision, loss of coordination or clumsiness, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, emotional instability and personality changes, confusion or agitation, memory loss, headaches, passing out or fainting |
| Risk Factors | High blood pressure, tobacco use, atrial fibrillation, history of stroke or TIA, heart disease, high cholesterol, excess weight or obesity, nonmedical drug use, age |
| Complications | A TIA can be a warning sign of a stroke, with up to 20% of people who have a TIA having a stroke within 90 days |
| Diagnosis | Medical history, physical and neurological exam, imaging scans (CT, MRI), angiography, ECG |
| Treatment | Catheter-based procedures, medications (e.g. aspirin, blood pressure medications, statins, blood thinners), endovascular thrombectomy, stenting, angioplasty, carotid endarterectomy |
What You'll Learn
What is a mini-stroke?
A "mini-stroke", or transient ischemic attack (TIA), is a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain. This blockage causes a temporary cessation of brain function, but, unlike a stroke, does not result in permanent brain damage. The symptoms of a TIA are the same as those of a stroke and include:
- Weakness, numbness, or paralysis on one side of the body
- Slurred speech or difficulty understanding others
- Blindness in one or both eyes
- Severe headache with no apparent cause
These symptoms usually last less than 24 hours, and often disappear within 5 to 10 minutes. However, it is important to note that even though the symptoms of a TIA may resolve quickly, it is still a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. This is because a TIA is often a warning sign of a potentially debilitating or deadly stroke in the near future. In fact, the risk of having a stroke increases to 10% within the next three months after a TIA, with the greatest risk occurring within the first 48 hours to seven days.
The main cause of TIAs is a blockage in a blood vessel that leads to an injury in the brain. Other causes include high blood pressure, heart disease, atrial fibrillation, and diabetes. The risk of having a TIA increases with age, and it is recommended that individuals over the age of 55 pay careful attention to any signs or symptoms as the rate of strokes doubles every 10 years after this age.
Treatment for a TIA focuses on preventing a future stroke by addressing the underlying causes. This may include medications such as aspirin, blood pressure medications, statins, and blood thinners, as well as catheter-based procedures such as endovascular thrombectomy, stenting, and angioplasty. It is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible if you experience any symptoms of a TIA to reduce the risk of a future stroke.
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What are the symptoms of a mini-stroke?
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) or "mini-stroke" is caused by a temporary disruption in the blood supply to the brain. This disruption results in a lack of oxygen to the brain, which can cause symptoms similar to a stroke, such as:
- Speech and visual disturbances
- Numbness or weakness in the face, arms, and legs
The effects of a TIA typically last a few minutes to a few hours and fully resolve within 24 hours. To remember the main symptoms of a TIA, you can use the acronym FAST:
- Face: the face may have dropped on one side, the person may not be able to smile, or their mouth or eye may have drooped.
- Arms: the person may not be able to lift both arms due to weakness or numbness in one arm.
- Speech: their speech may be slurred or garbled, or they may not be able to talk at all, despite appearing awake. They may also have trouble understanding what others are saying.
- Time: it's time to call emergency services immediately if you observe any of these signs or symptoms.
It is crucial to seek medical advice as soon as possible if you experience any symptoms of a TIA or stroke. Even if the symptoms disappear while waiting for medical assistance, it is essential to be assessed in a hospital setting. A TIA is a warning sign of a potential full stroke in the near future, and prompt assessment can help determine the best course of action to reduce that risk.
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What should you do if you think you're having a mini-stroke?
If you think you're having a mini-stroke, or transient ischemic attack (TIA), it is important to act quickly. Call 911 or your local emergency services number and get to a hospital as soon as possible. Do not wait to see if your symptoms will subside, as this could be a warning sign of an imminent stroke.
During a TIA, there is a temporary lack of blood flow to the brain, which can cause symptoms such as:
- Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech.
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or lack of coordination.
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause.
These symptoms may go away after a few minutes, but it is crucial to seek medical attention to prevent a stroke, which can have permanent effects.
Your doctor will check your risk factors for a stroke, including blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol levels, and the health of your blood vessels and heart. To prevent another TIA or a stroke, they may recommend:
- Medications to lower blood pressure, control blood sugar, or reduce cholesterol.
- Daily low-dose aspirin or an antiplatelet drug to prevent blood clots.
- Procedures such as carotid endarterectomy or stenting to treat carotid artery disease.
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What makes a mini-stroke different from a stroke?
While a transient ischemic attack (TIA) is often referred to as a "mini-stroke", it is not necessarily smaller in scale than a stroke. A TIA is a temporary lack of blood flow to the brain, which can affect large brain areas. During a TIA, an individual may experience symptoms such as one-sided weakness, difficulty speaking, loss of muscle control on one side of the face, sudden loss of senses, blurred or double vision, loss of coordination, dizziness, nausea, emotional instability, confusion, memory loss, headaches, and fainting. These symptoms typically last less than an hour, and sometimes end before the individual is fully aware of what is happening. However, in some cases, they can last for up to 24 hours.
A stroke, on the other hand, is a more severe and longer-lasting condition, which requires immediate medical treatment to stop and reverse the effects. While a TIA stops on its own, a stroke does not. A stroke can be caused by a blockage in a blood vessel that supplies the brain with blood (ischemic stroke) or the rupture of a blood vessel in the brain (hemorrhagic stroke). The symptoms of a stroke will continue or worsen until healthy blood flow is restored to the affected part of the brain. Unlike a TIA, a stroke leaves behind evidence on a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, indicating that there has been visible damage to the brain.
Although the symptoms of a TIA are often milder and shorter-lived than those of a stroke, it is still a serious medical condition that requires prompt attention. A TIA is considered a major risk factor for a stroke, with up to 20% of individuals who experience a TIA going on to have a stroke within 90 days. Therefore, it is important to seek medical attention after a TIA to diagnose the underlying cause and take steps to reduce the risk of a future stroke.
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What are the risk factors for a mini-stroke?
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain. While a TIA doesn't cause permanent damage, it's a "warning stroke", indicating a possible full-blown stroke in the future. Anyone can have a TIA, but the risk increases with age. If you've previously had a stroke, you're more likely to have another one in the future. Here are some of the major risk factors for a TIA or stroke:
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Atrial fibrillation
- Smoking
- Previous stroke or TIA
- Obesity
- High cholesterol
- Age
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Frequently asked questions
A mini stroke, or transient ischemic attack (TIA), is a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain. The clot usually dissolves on its own or gets dislodged, and the symptoms usually last less than five minutes.
The symptoms of a mini stroke include sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, trouble speaking or understanding, difficulty seeing in one or both eyes, and loss of balance or coordination.
If you think you're having a mini stroke, you should call 911 and get to a hospital immediately. Don't delay getting to the hospital, as timely treatment is critical.
The main difference between a mini stroke and a stroke is that the symptoms of a mini stroke are temporary and usually last less than 24 hours, while the symptoms of a stroke can be permanent. However, a mini stroke can pave the way for a true stroke, with about a third of people who experience a mini stroke going on to have a major stroke within a year.
The risk of having a mini stroke increases with age, and people who have previously had a stroke are at a higher risk. Other risk factors include high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and smoking.
