Transient Ischemic Attack

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

A transient ischemic attack is also called a TIA or a mini-stroke. A TIA happens when blood cannot flow to part of your brain. This causes loss of body functions controlled by that part of your brain. The effects of a TIA last for a few minutes to an hour, and are gone in less than 24 hours. A TIA does not cause lasting damage, but it may be a warning sign before an ischemic stroke occurs. With treatment, a stroke can be prevented, and you may be able to keep doing your usual activities.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Take your medicine as directed:

Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not working as expected. Tell him if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why you take them. Take the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists.

Aspirin to stop blood clots:

Aspirin helps thin the blood to keep blood clots from forming. If you are told to take aspirin, do not take acetaminophen or ibuprofen instead. Do not take more or less aspirin than directed. This medicine makes it more likely for you to bleed or bruise.

Warfarin:

Warfarin is a type of medicine that helps prevent clots from forming in the blood. Clots can cause strokes, heart attacks, and death. Using warfarin may cause you to bleed or bruise more easily. If you are taking warfarin:

• Watch for bleeding from your gums or nose. Watch for blood in your urine and bowel movements. Use a soft washcloth on your skin, and a soft toothbrush to brush your teeth. Doing this can keep your skin and gums from bleeding. If you shave, use an electric shaver. Do not play contact sports.
  
  
• Many medicines cannot be used when taking warfarin. Talk to your caregiver about all of the other medicines that you use. Tell your dentist and other caregivers that you take warfarin. Wear a bracelet or necklace that says you are taking this medicine.
  
  
• You will need to have regular blood tests while taking warfarin. Your caregiver uses these tests to decide how much medicine is right for you to take. Take warfarin exactly how your caregiver tells you to. Tell your caregiver right away if you forget to take the medicine, or if you take too much.
  
  
• Talk to your caregiver about your diet. Warfarin works best when you eat about the same amount of Vitamin K every day. Vitamin K is found in green leafy vegetables and certain other foods.

Follow up with your primary healthcare provider or neurologist as directed:

Write down any questions you have so you remember to ask them in your follow-up visits.

Manage health problems:

Diabetes, high blood pressure, or high blood cholesterol increases your risk of a stroke. Talk to your caregiver about managing your health problems.

Know the FAST test to recognize the signs of a stroke:

Call an ambulance to take the person to the hospital if you see any of these signs:

• F = Face: Ask the person to smile. Drooping on 1 side of the mouth or face is a sign of a stroke.
  
  
• A = Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. One arm that slowly comes back down or cannot be raised is a sign of a stroke.
  
  
• S = Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence that you say first. Speech that is slurred or strange sounding is a sign of a stroke.
  
  
• T = Time: If you see that the person has any of these signs, do not wait to call for help. This is an emergency.

Contact your primary healthcare provider if:

• Your blood pressure is higher than what caregivers have told you it should be.
  
  
• You have any questions or concerns about your therapy, medicine, or care.
  
  
• You cannot make it to your next appointment.

Return to the emergency department if:

• You have signs of a TIA:
  
  
  • Double vision, or blindness in 1 eye.
    
    
  • Confusion, fainting, slurred speech, being unable to speak or unable to understand someone else speaking.
    
    
  • Hearing loss out of 1 ear.
    
    
  • Tingling in your arm or leg on 1 side of your body.
    
    
  • Weakness or numbness down 1 side of your body or your face.
  
  
• You are bleeding from your rectum, nose, or another body area.
  
  
• You have chest pain that spreads to your arms, jaw, or back.
  
  
• You have signs of a stroke: The following signs are an emergency. Call 911 immediately if you have any of the following:
  
  
  • Weakness or numbness in your arm, leg, or face (may be on only one side of your body)
    
    
  • Confusion and problems speaking or understanding speech
    
    
  • A very bad headache that may feel like the worst headache of your life
    
    
  • Not being able to see out of one or both of your eyes
    
    
  • Feeling too dizzy to stand

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Transient Ischemic Attack (Aftercare Instructions)