Transient Ischemic Attack

What is a transient ischemic attack?

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.

What are the signs and symptoms of a transient ischemic attack?

Signs and symptoms of a TIA depend on the part of the brain affected. You may have 1 or more of the following that may come and go:

• Numbness (loss of feeling), tingling, weakness, or paralysis (loss of movement).
  
  
• Trouble walking, swallowing, talking, or understanding.
  
  
• Blurry or double vision.

How is a transient ischemic attack diagnosed?

Your caregiver will ask about your signs and symptoms, and about your and your family's medical history. He will ask about the medicines you take, and if you use street drugs. He will also do a physical exam. You may need blood tests and other tests. Ask caregivers for more information about the tests that you need. You may need these or other tests to diagnose a TIA:

• Carotid doppler: This test uses sound waves to show the blood flow in your carotid arteries. The carotid arteries are the blood vessels in your neck that carry blood to your brain. A carotid doppler test will check for narrow or blocked arteries that may lead to a stroke.
  
  
• CT scan: This test is also called a CAT scan. An x-ray and computer are used to take pictures of your skull and brain. You may be given dye, also called contrast, before the test. Tell the caregiver if you are allergic to dye, iodine, or seafood.
  
  
• MRI: This scan uses powerful magnets and a computer to take pictures of your brain. It will also take pictures of the blood vessels and structures in your head. You may be given dye, also called contrast, before the test. Tell caregivers if you are allergic to dye, iodine, or seafood. Remove all jewelry, and tell caregivers if you have any metal in or on your body. Metal can cause serious injury. Tell caregivers if you cannot lie still or are anxious or afraid of closed spaces.

How is a transient ischemic attack treated?

You may need medicines to thin your blood or dissolve blood clots. You may also need medicine to decrease high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels. You may need surgery to open a blocked artery (blood vessel).

What increases my risk of a transient ischemic attack?

• You are a man.
  
  
• You are African American or Mexican American.
  
  
• You are at least 55 years old.
  
  
• You are a woman and use birth control pills, or you take hormone replacement medicine after menopause. Menopause occurs when an adult woman stops having monthly periods.
  
  
• Your father or mother had a stroke, or you had a low weight when you were born.
  
  
• You have high blood pressure, or blood vessel or sickle cell disease that is not being treated.
  
  
• You have atrial fibrillation, diabetes, or other heart or blood vessel conditions.

What lifestyle changes can decrease my risk of having a transient ischemic attack or a stroke?

• Lower your blood pressure. Take your blood pressure medicine as ordered by your caregiver. Do not stop taking these medicines without asking your caregivers. Follow your caregiver's instructions to check your blood pressure, and write the numbers down to show him.
  
  
• Manage your diabetes. Diabetes (high blood sugar) increases your risk of having a stroke. Manage diabetes by keeping your blood sugar level within the range of numbers your caregiver tells you it should be. Follow your caregiver's instructions to check your blood sugar, and write the numbers down to show him
  
  
• Eat healthy foods. What you eat can help prevent or manage high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Any of these medical conditions increases your risk of stroke. Eat foods low in fat, cholesterol, salt, and sugar. Eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Eat foods that are high in potassium, such as potatoes and bananas.
  
  
• Reach or stay at a healthy weight. If you are overweight or obese (weigh more than your caregiver suggests), you may need to lose weight. Weight loss can decrease your blood pressure and your risk of stroke. Ask your caregiver how much you should weigh and about how you can lose weight.
  
  
• Exercise. Get 30 minutes of moderate exercise each day to help prevent a stroke. Good exercises are cycling, fast walking, and jogging. Ask your caregiver what exercises you should do.
  
  
• Limit alcohol. Your risk of stroke increases if you have 5 or more drinks of alcohol a day. Alcohol can damage your brain, heart, and liver. Men should not have more than 2 drinks per day. Women should not have more than 1 drink per day. Tell your caregiver if you drink alcohol.
  
  
• Quit smoking. If you smoke, you should quit. Cigarette smoke increases your risk of a stroke. It is never too late to quit smoking. You are more likely to have heart disease, lung disease, cancer, and other health problems if you smoke. Quit smoking to improve your health and the health of those around you. Ask for help if you are having trouble quitting.
  
  
• Do not use street (illegal) drugs. Cocaine, methamphetamines (meth), and heroin increase your risk of a stroke.

How can I tell if someone is having a stroke?

Know the F.A.S.T. test to recognize the signs of a stroke:

• 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, it is an emergency. Call an ambulance to take the person to the hospital.

When should I call my caregiver?

Call your caregiver if:

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

When should I seek immediate help?

Seek care immediately or call 911 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

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

Copyright © 2012. Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

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