Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) Quiz
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Dizziness
Off-balance like floating
Speech not fluent
Feeling faint
Weak
Brain fog
I can't see one eye
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What is Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)?
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is often called a “mini stroke”. The symptoms of a TIA are similar to a stroke, but they don't last as long (from minutes up to 24 hours). TIA occurs when part of the brain's blood supply is temporarily cut off by a blood clot or fatty deposits in the blood vessel. There is no death of brain cells or permanent brain damage. TIA is a sign that there is a high risk for strokes in the future.
Typical Symptoms of Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
- Weakness or paralysis on one side of your body
- Smile is not symmetrical
- Difficulty speaking, performing tasks, or recognizing things
- Difficulty seeing on one side
- Unable to speak, although I understand what people are saying
- Dizziness
- Partial loss of vision
- Difficulty speaking clearly
Diagnostic Questions for Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
- Do you have weakness or paralysis on one side of your body?
- Is it hard to raise one corner of your mouth when you smile?
- Have you been experiencing difficulty speaking, performing tasks, or recognizing things?
- Are you currently experiencing vision loss in one eye?
- Can you understand others but struggle to express yourself clearly?
Treatment of Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
Emergency treatment in the hospital is required for TIAs. One or more medications may be prescribed to thin the blood and control blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Surgery may be needed in more severe cases.
Reviewed By:
Maxwell J. Nanes, DO (Emergency Medicine)
Dr Nanes received a doctorate from the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine and went on to complete a residency in emergency medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin. There he trained at Froedtert Hospital and Children's Hospital of Wisconsin in the practice of adult and pediatric emergency medicine. He was a chief resident and received numerous awards for teaching excellence during his time there. | | After residency he took a job at a community hospital where he and his colleagues worked through the toughest days of the COVID-19 pandemic. |
Shohei Harase, MD (Neurology)
Dr. Harase spent his junior and senior high school years in Finland and the U.S. After graduating from the University of Washington (Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology), he worked for Apple Japan Inc. before entering the University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital, where he received the Best Resident Award in 2016 and 2017. In 2021, he joined the Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, specializing in hyperacute stroke.
Content updated on Feb 13, 2025
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Symptoms Related to Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
Diseases Related to Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
FAQs
Q.
Is it a CVA? Why Your Brain is Failing & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
There are several factors to consider. A CVA is a stroke caused by a blocked or bleeding vessel that suddenly cuts brain blood flow and can trigger face drooping, arm weakness, speech or vision changes, severe headache, or imbalance; timing is critical, so call emergency services immediately because treatments like clot-busting medication and clot removal are time limited. Brief symptoms can be a TIA, a major warning that still needs urgent evaluation, and doctors confirm the cause with CT or MRI before targeted treatment. See below for medically approved next steps, including what to do right now, how to lower your risk, and key details that could change which actions you should take next.
References:
* Powers WJ, Rabinstein AA, Ackerson T, et al. Guidelines for the Early Management of Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke: 2019 Update From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Stroke. 2019 Mar;50(3):e344-e418. doi: 10.1161/STR.0000000000000211. Epub 2019 Jan 24. PMID: 30679020.
* Li Y, Deng C, Deng X, et al. Ischemic Stroke Pathophysiology and Treatment: A Review. Cells. 2023 Aug 22;12(17):2171. doi: 10.3390/cells12172171. PMID: 37626359; PMCID: PMC10487595.
* Capes E, Argaud L. Acute Stroke Treatment: A Comprehensive Review. Crit Care Med. 2022 Sep 1;50(9):1395-1411. doi: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000005705. Epub 2022 Apr 19. PMID: 35920233.
* Campbell BC, De Silva DA, Macleod MR, et al. Ischaemic stroke. Lancet. 2019 May 18;393(10184):2019-2032. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(19)31054-0. PMID: 31104712.
* Hoffmann S, Harms L, Siegerink B. Stroke mimics: frequency, clinical characteristics and treatment. Eur J Neurol. 2020 Aug;27(8):1538-1543. doi: 10.1111/ene.14323. Epub 2020 May 27. PMID: 32462299.
Q.
Stroke Symptoms? Why Your Brain is Failing & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Stroke symptoms and urgent next steps: symptoms usually start suddenly with face drooping, arm weakness, speech trouble, severe headache, vision changes, dizziness, or confusion; treat it as an emergency, call emergency services now, and note the time symptoms began, even if they quickly improve since that may be a TIA. There are several factors to consider that can change what you should do next, including the stroke type and tight time windows for treatments like tPA or thrombectomy, plus risks and prevention steps; see below for the complete, medically approved guidance and other critical details.
References:
* O'Donnell MJ, et al. Ischemic Stroke Pathophysiology and Therapeutic Targets. J Clin Med. 2020 Feb 28;9(3):685. PMID: 32120930.
* Powers WJ, Rabinstein AA, Telegrafi T, et al. Guidelines for the Early Management of Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke: 2019 Update to the 2018 Guidelines for the Early Management of Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke. Stroke. 2019 Dec;50(12):e344-e418. PMID: 31662037.
* Li M, Li H, Li K, et al. Mechanisms of neuronal death and injury in ischemic stroke. Acta Neuropathol. 2018 Mar;135(3):331-348. PMID: 29427041.
* Dávalos A, Hernández-Pérez M. Emergency Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Stroke. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2019 Mar 15;19(4):18. PMID: 30877508.
* Al-Mufti F, Al-Sherif F, El-Shazly Y, et al. Hemorrhagic Stroke: Epidemiology, Clinical Presentation, and Treatment. Semin Neurol. 2020 Apr;40(2):119-125. PMID: 31995874.
Q.
Is it a Stroke? Why Your Body is Reacting & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Sudden face drooping, arm or leg weakness, speech trouble, vision changes, a severe headache, or balance problems can signal a stroke; act FAST by calling emergency services now and noting when symptoms began, since only urgent medical evaluation can confirm the cause and time sensitive treatments can protect brain function. There are several factors to consider; see below for why these symptoms happen, how TIAs differ yet require same day care, common stroke mimics, key risk factors, and medically approved next steps that could change what you should do right now and to prevent future strokes.
References:
* Powers WJ, Rabinstein AA, Ackerson T, et al. Guidelines for the Early Management of Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke: 2019 Update to the 2018 Guidelines for the Early Management of Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Guideline for Healthcare Professionals From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Stroke. 2019 Dec;50(12):e344-e418. doi: 10.1161/STR.0000000000000211. PMID: 31662037.
* Campbell BC, De Silva DA, Macleod MR, et al. Ischemic stroke. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2019 Mar 21;5(1):1-20. doi: 10.1038/s41572-019-0071-9. PMID: 30899014.
* Kuriakose D, Xiao Z. Pathophysiology and Treatment of Stroke: Present Status and Future Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Oct 14;21(20):7603. doi: 10.3390/ijms21207603. PMID: 33066348; PMCID: PMC7589998.
* Meretoja A, Kaste M, Whiteley W. Prehospital Stroke Management. Stroke. 2022 May;53(5):1741-1750. doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.122.039474. PMID: 35352349.
* Telegrafo P, Telegrafo M, Cincione I, et al. Imaging of Acute Ischemic Stroke: Current Concepts and Controversies. J Clin Med. 2023 Feb 1;12(3):1160. doi: 10.3390/jcm12031160. PMID: 36769614; PMCID: PMC9917307.
Q.
Stroke Risk? Why Your Carotid Artery Is Blocked + Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Carotid artery blockages most often result from atherosclerotic plaque that narrows the vessel or sheds clots to the brain, sharply raising stroke risk, so know the FAST warning signs and seek emergency care for any TIA-like symptoms. Guideline-supported next steps depend on how narrowed the artery is, from antiplatelet and statin therapy with lifestyle changes to procedures like carotid endarterectomy or stenting, with ultrasound and other imaging plus your risk factors guiding decisions; see the complete details below for the key thresholds and choices that could change your plan.
References:
* Pradelli J, Alvau A, Desgranges P, et al. Current approaches to carotid artery stenosis management. J Cardiovasc Surg (Torino). 2023 Dec;64(6):1598-1607.
* Naylor AR, Tonev E, Davies AH, et al. Guideline for the Management of Patients with Carotid Artery Stenosis: 2023 Update. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2023 Sep;66:571-574.
* Caronno R, Bracale UM, Settembrini AM, et al. Carotid Endarterectomy: An Update. Ann Vasc Surg. 2023 Sep;95:251-260.
* Virani SS, Zafaranloo Z, Blankstein R, et al. Risk Factors for Carotid Artery Disease. Curr Atheroscler Rep. 2021 Jul 26;23(9):54.
* Kitagawa Y, Hibi S, Hori M, et al. Medical Management for Carotid Artery Stenosis: Focus on Lipid-Lowering and Antiplatelet Therapies. Curr Vasc Pharmacol. 2023;21(3):288-297.
Q.
Is It a Stroke? Why Your Brain Is Under Attack and Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Stroke is a time-critical brain emergency: sudden face droop, arm weakness, or speech trouble means call emergency services now, note when symptoms began, and avoid eating or drinking so time-sensitive treatments can protect brain tissue. There are several factors to consider, including TIA warning signs, common causes like high blood pressure and atrial fibrillation, and what to expect at the hospital and after; see below for complete medically approved next steps that could change what you do next.
References:
* Campbell, B. C. V., Khatri, P., & Furie, K. L. (2023). Stroke. *The Lancet*, *401*(10385), 1391-1404. PMID: 36870579
* Powers, W. J., Rabinstein, A. A., Ackerson, T., Ali, O. K., Becker, K., Biller, B. J., ... & American Heart Association Stroke Council. (2019). Guidelines for the early management of patients with acute ischemic stroke: 2019 update to the 2018 guidelines for the early management of acute ischemic stroke: a guideline for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. *Stroke*, *50*(12), e344-e418. PMID: 31665527
* Writing Group Members, W. M. M., Tirschwell, D. L., Mozaffarian, D., ... & American Heart Association Stroke Council. (2021). Guidelines for the Prevention of Stroke in Patients With Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack: A Guideline From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. *Stroke*, *52*(7), e364-e467. PMID: 34091937
* Ferro, J. M., Cunha, L., & Silva, C. A. (2020). Stroke mimics: clinical presentation and diagnostic approach. *Journal of Clinical Medicine*, *9*(8), 2465. PMID: 32751505
* Winstein, C. J., Stein, J., Arena, R., Bates, B., Cherney, L. R., Cramer, S. C., ... & American Heart Association Stroke Council. (2016). Guidelines for adult stroke rehabilitation and recovery: a guideline for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. *Stroke*, *47*(6), e98-e169. PMID: 27145936
Q.
7 Silent Stroke Signs Women Over 65 Should Never Ignore
A.
Key silent stroke signs in women over 65 include sudden confusion, unusual fatigue or one-sided weakness, brief vision changes, sudden dizziness or imbalance, one-sided numbness or tingling, trouble speaking, and a sudden unfamiliar headache. These symptoms can be brief and painless yet urgent, possibly a TIA or stroke, so seek immediate care if they appear suddenly or affect one side, speech, or vision; there are several factors to consider, and critical details that could guide your next steps are below.
References:
* Bushnell CD, McCullough LD, Awad IA, et al. Guidelines for the Prevention of Stroke in Women: A Statement for Healthcare Professionals From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Stroke. 2014 Dec;45(12):3731-50. doi: 10.1161/STR.0000000000000009. Epub 2014 Oct 30. PMID: 25355818.
* Verhaaren BF, Vernooij MW, de Bruijn RF, et al. Prevalence and risk factors of covert brain infarcts in the general population: the Rotterdam Study. Neurology. 2014 May 6;82(18):1694-701. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000000392. Epub 2014 Apr 9. PMID: 24718151.
* Kwon HM, Park JH, Kim BJ, et al. Sex-Specific Differences in Transient Ischemic Attack Presentation and Recurrent Stroke Risk. J Am Heart Assoc. 2020 Feb 18;9(4):e014791. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.119.014791. Epub 2020 Feb 13. PMID: 32095904.
* Potter GM, Doubal FN, Wardlaw JM. Covert strokes: recognition, risk factors, and consequences. Curr Opin Neurol. 2018 Dec;31(6):667-673. doi: 10.1097/WCO.0000000000000620. PMID: 30453507.
* Ferro JM, Massaro AR. Stroke in women: Differences and implications. Int J Stroke. 2020 Jul;15(6):592-602. doi: 10.1177/1747493019890695. Epub 2019 Nov 22. PMID: 31751381.
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Kishore, A., Vail, A., Majid, A., Dawson, J., & Lees, K. R. (2014). Detection of atrial fibrillation after ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Stroke.
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1161/STROKEAHA.113.003433Charidimou, A., Kakar, P., Fox, Z., & Werring, D. J. (2013). Cerebral microbleeds and recurrent stroke risk: systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack cohorts. Stroke.
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1161/STROKEAHA.111.000038Fitzpatrick T, Gocan S, Wang CQ, Hamel C, Bourgoin A, Dowlatshahi D, Stotts G, Shamy M. How do neurologists diagnose transient ischemic attack: A systematic review. Int J Stroke. 2019 Feb;14(2):115-124. doi: 10.1177/1747493018816430. Epub 2018 Dec 3. PMID: 30507363; PMCID: PMC6604401.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6604401/