Theos-Talk Archives (April 2008 Message tt00326)

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)


What is a TIA or transient ischemic attack?

A TIA is a "warning stroke" or "mini-stroke" that produces stroke-like
symptoms but no lasting damage. Recognizing and treating TIAs can reduce
your risk of a major stroke.

Most strokes aren't preceded by TIAs. However, of the people who've had one
or more TIAs, more than a third will later have a stroke. In fact, a person
who's had one or more TIAs is more likely to have a stroke than someone of
the same age and sex who hasn't.

TIAs are important in predicting if a stroke will occur rather than when one
will happen. They can occur days, weeks or even months before a major
stroke. In about half the cases, the stroke occurs within one year of the
TIA.

What causes a transient ischemic attack?

TIAs occur when a blood clot temporarily clogs an artery, and part of the
brain doesn't get the blood it needs. The symptoms occur rapidly and last a
relatively short time. Most TIAs last less than five minutes. The average is
about a minute. Unlike stroke, when a TIA is over, there's no injury to the
brain.

What are the symptoms of a TIA?

It's very important to recognize the warning signs of a TIA or stroke. The
usual TIA symptoms are the same as those of stroke, only temporary:

  a.. Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one
side of the body
  b.. Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
  c.. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
  d.. Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
  e.. Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
The short duration of these symptoms and lack of permanent brain injury is
the main difference between TIA and stroke.

TIAs are extremely important predictors of stroke. Don't ignore them! If
symptoms appear, CALL 9-1-1 TO GET MEDICAL HELP IMMEDIATELY. A doctor should
determine if a TIA or stroke has occurred, or if it's another medical
problem with similar symptoms. Some examples are seizure, fainting, migraine
headache, or general medical or cardiac condition. Prompt medical or
surgical attention to these symptoms could prevent a fatal or disabling
stroke from occurring.

For stroke information, call the American Stroke Association at
1-888-4-STROKE.

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4781