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A TIA (transient ischemic attack) is a “mini-stroke” that produces stroke symptoms but without lasting
damage. The symptoms are temporary and resolve within twenty-four hours, usually lasting a few minutes.
More than a third of the people who have had one or more TIAs will later have a stroke. A person who has had a TIA is many times more likely to have a stroke than
someone who has not. A TIA may occur days, weeks or months before a major stroke.
TIAs can occur when a blood clot temporarily clogs an artery and the area of the brain the artery supplies does not receive
blood flow, resulting in stroke like symptoms. Symptoms occur rapidly and last a short time, usually less than five
minutes. When a TIA is over, there is usually no injury to the brain.
TIAs are very important predictors of strokes
DO NOT IGNORE THEM! CALL 911 - GET MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY!
A doctor should determine if a TIA or stroke has occurred, or if you are having another medical problem with
similar symptoms. Many other medical conditions can mimic having a stroke. A few examples of these are migraine headache,
seizure, or a heart problem. Prompt medical and surgical attention to these symptoms could prevent a fatal or disabling stroke from occurring.
Your physician will do an evaluation and prescribe treatments or medications in an effort to prevent a stroke from occurring.
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