Transient ischemic attack

• العربية • Azərbaycanca • Català • Čeština • Dansk • Deutsch • Español • فارسی • Français • 한국어 • Հայերեն • Bahasa Indonesia • Italiano • עברית • Latviešu • മലയാളം • Nederlands • 日本語 • Norsk bokmål • ଓଡ଼ିଆ • Polski • Português • Română • Русский • Simple English • Српски / srpski • Suomi • Svenska • தமிழ் • ไทย • Українська • 中文 Medical condition Transient ischemic attack Other names Mini-strokes, mild stroke Survival rate ~ 91% (to hospital discharge) 67.2% (five years) A transient ischemic attack ( TIA), commonly known as a mini-stroke, is a minor All forms of stroke, including TIA, result from a disruption in blood flow to the silent cerebral infarct (SCI), there is permanent infarction detectable on imaging, but there are no immediately observable symptoms. The same person can have major strokes, minor strokes, and silent strokes, in any order. The occurrence of a TIA is a risk factor for having a major stroke, and many people with TIA have a major stroke within 48 hours of the TIA. Signs and symptoms [ ] Signs and symptoms of TIA are widely variable and can mimic other neurologic conditions, making the clinical context and physical exam crucial in ruling in or out the diagnosis. The most common presenting symptoms of TIA are focal neurologic deficits, which can include, but are not limited to: • • One-sided • One-sided motor weakness • • • Visual field deficits, such as • Sensory deficits in one or more limbs and of the face • Loss of ability to understand or express...

A Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), also known as Transient Cerebral Ischemia or “mini-stroke,” is an event in which blood flow to the brain is briefly blocked and then restored before lasting damage occurs. Surgical treatment of the underlying cause may prevent permanent damage. The most common treatment options are carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid artery angioplasty and stenting (CAS). Our neurosurgeons are experienced in these, as well as less common surgical interventions. Although its symptoms disappear within minutes or hours, a TIA should not be ignored. A person who has had a TIA may be at risk for a full-blown stroke, which can cause permanent brain damage or death. In fact, stroke is the fifth leading cause of death, and the leading cause of disability, among adult Americans. The symptoms of a TIA depend on the size and location of the blockage. Symptoms may include: • Sudden confusion and loss of coordination • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes (e.g. blurry vision, double vision or no vision) • Sudden weakness or numbness in an arm, leg, or the face • Sudden severe headache These are the same as the symptoms of a stroke. Indeed, there is no way to tell during the event whether it is a TIA (in which case the symptoms disappear on their own after blood flow is restored) or a stroke (in which case blood flow is blocked long enough to cause permanent damage). Anyone experiencing any of the symptoms listed above should receive immediate medical attenti...

Trained medical staff need to evaluate the patient's condition. Some signs are only visible with hospital equipment, so appropriate medical care is important, which may include: Assessing vital signs and testing brain function for signs of immediate stroke. Initial assessment includes some quick tests to help determine if cranial nerves are intact, vision is normal, muscles have strength and speaking and thinking seem normal. Heart rate, temperature and blood may also help to provide an overall picture of what is happening. Checking the blood flow and tissue within the brain tissue may be important to determine the cause of a TIA or any brief symptoms of stroke. These images can be seen using an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan or a computerized tomography (CT) scan. An electrocardiogram (ECG) is often helpful. The main artery leading from the heart to the brain, called the carotid artery, may also be checked for signs of stiffening or blockage. Assessing medical history and risks of cardiovascular disease, along with an evaluation of blood chemistry, can help determine the appropriateness of medication to prevent blood clots or a procedure to remove fatty deposits (plaques) from the arteries that supply blood to brain (carotid endarterectomy). Referring a patient to a specialist is sometimes appropriate. When a TIA occurs in a young person and there are no clear risk factors for stroke, the patient may be sent to a neurologist for special testing to rule out vasculit...

When someone's having a When a TIA strikes, treat it like an emergency and call 911. If it turns out you're having a The exact symptoms of a TIA depend on which part of your What to Look For Just like a stroke, TIA symptoms seem to come out of nowhere. You typically have problems like: Droopy face. Your Speaking problems. Your speech may be slurred, garbled, or hard to understand. It might be difficult to find the right words. Weak or numb arms. You may have trouble lifting and holding up both arms. Those are the clearest red flags, but you may also notice: • Balance and coordination problems • Blindness or blurred • Can't move one whole side of your body • Confusion and a hard time understanding others • • Sudden, severe • Trouble swallowing When to Call 911 If you see someone having symptoms of a TIA, call 911 right away. Even if the symptoms go away in a couple of minutes -- and that's pretty likely with a TIA -- it's still important to get help. While it may not seem like an emergency, it's fairly common to have a stroke in just a few days of a TIA, so make sure to get checked out. What to Expect at the Hospital It may feel silly to show up at the hospital if your symptoms have stopped, but your doctor can help you figure out what happened and what comes next. The first step is to make sure you're OK and to see if you had a TIA, stroke, or something else that could cause similar symptoms. Your doctor will: • Ask you what your symptoms were like • Check your vital signs...