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    What Is a Transient Ischemic Attack?

    A transient ischemic attack (TIA), also called a ministroke or warning stroke, causes symptoms similar to those of a stroke. The difference is that TIAs don’t cause permanent brain damage, and they often last less than one hour. But they can last up to 24 hours. About one-third of people will suffer a stroke in the year after a TIA.

    TIAs happen when a blood clot or artery spasm suddenly blocks or closes off an artery briefly. This stops blood from reaching a part of the brain for a short period of time. Different parts of the brain do different things. So TIA symptoms depend on what part of the brain is affected. For example, a person can have weakness in their arm without the real problem being in the arm. The problem can be a lack of blood flow to the part of the brain that is responsible for arm strength.

    Here are symptoms to watch for:

    • Sudden numbness in your face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body

    • Sudden confusion

    • Sudden trouble seeing, talking, or understanding

    • Sudden trouble with balance or walking

    • Sudden dizziness or loss of coordination 

    • Sudden severe headache you can’t explain

    • Loss of consciousness or seizure

    If you think you are having a TIA, get medical help right away. Recognizing symptoms of a TIA and getting treatment right away will reduce the risk for a major stroke.  

    Online Medical Reviewer: Anne Fetterman RN BSN
    Online Medical Reviewer: Deepak Sudheendra MD
    Online Medical Reviewer: Raymond Kent Turley BSN MSN RN
    Date Last Reviewed: 6/1/2022
    Copyright Health Ink & Vitality Communications
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    Southern New Mexico
    Surgery Center

    2301 Indian Wells Rd. Suite B
    Alamogordo, NM 88310
    www.snmsc.org

    Phone: 575.437.0890
    Fax: 575.437.0905
    Email: info@snmsc.org

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