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Overview
A transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or "mini stroke" is caused by a temporary disruption in the blood supply to part of the brain.
The disruption in blood supply results in a lack of oxygen to the brain.
This can cause sudden symptoms similar to a stroke, such as speech and visual disturbance, and numbness or weakness in the face, arms and legs.
But a TIA does not last as long as a stroke. The effects last a few minutes to a few hours and fully resolve within 24 hours.
Symptoms
Like a stroke, the signs and symptoms of a TIA usually begin suddenly.
It’s important to recognise the symptoms quickly and call and ask for an ambulance straight away.
The main symptoms can be remembered with the word FAST:
- Face – the face may have dropped on 1 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 and keep them there, because of weakness or numbness in one arm.
- Speech – their speech may be slurred or garbled, or the person may not be able to talk at all, despite appearing to be awake; they may also have problems understanding what you're saying to them.
- Time – it's time to call an ambulance immediately if you notice any of these signs or symptoms.
It's important for everyone to be aware of these signs and symptoms.
If you live with or care for someone in a high-risk group, such as an older person or someone with diabetes or high blood pressure, being aware of the symptoms is even more important.
Other possible symptoms
The symptoms in the FAST test identify most strokes and TIAs, but a TIA can occasionally cause different symptoms that typically appear suddenly (usually over a few seconds).
Other signs and symptoms may include:
- complete paralysis of one side of the body
- sudden vision loss, blurred vision or double vision
- vertigo
- being sick
- dizziness
- confusion
- difficulty understanding what others are saying
- problems with balance and co-ordination
- difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
However, there may be other causes for these symptoms.
Causes
During a transient ischaemic attack (TIA), 1 of the blood vessels that supply your brain with oxygen-rich blood becomes blocked.
This blockage is usually caused by a blood clot that's formed elsewhere in your body and travelled to the blood vessels supplying the brain, although it can also be caused by pieces of fatty material or air bubbles.
Certain things can increase your chances of having a TIA, including:
- smoking
- high blood pressure (hypertension)
- obesity
- high cholesterol levels
- regularly drinking an excessive amount of alcohol
- having a type of irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation
- having diabetes
People over 55 years of age and people of Asian, African or Caribbean descent are also at a higher risk of having a TIA.
Treatment Options
Although the symptoms of a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) resolve in a few minutes or hours, you'll need treatment to help prevent another TIA or a full stroke happening in the future.
Treatment will depend on your individual circumstances, such as your age and medical history.
You're likely to be given advice about lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your stroke risk, and be offered medicine to treat the cause of the TIA.
In some cases, a surgery called a carotid endarterectomy may be needed to unblock your carotid arteries, which are the main blood vessels that supply your brain with blood.
Prevention Tips
A transient ischaemic attack (TIA) is often a sign that another one may follow and you're at a high risk of having a full, life-threatening stroke in the near future.
Regardless of whether you have had a TIA or stroke in the past, there are several ways you can lower your risk of having either in the future.
These include:
- maintaining a healthy weight
- eating a healthy, balanced diet
- doing regular exercise
- limiting alcohol
- not smoking
When To See A Doctor
Go to the emergency department immediately or ask for an ambulance if you or someone else has symptoms of a TIA or stroke.
Even if the symptoms disappear while you're waiting for an ambulance to arrive, an assessment in hospital should still be done.
You should be referred to see a specialist within 24 hours of the start of your symptoms.
A TIA is a warning that you're at risk of having a full stroke in the near future. An assessment can help doctors determine the best way to reduce the chances of this happening.
If you think you've had a TIA previously, but the symptoms have since passed and you did not get medical advice at the time, make an urgent appointment with a GP. They can refer you for a hospital assessment, if appropriate.
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