How to Recognize a Transient Ischemic Attack or TIA (stroke)

A Transient Ischemic Attack or TIA (stroke) is a mini stroke or more commonly referred to as a "warning stroke". A Transient Ischemic Attack or TIA can have symptoms similar to a stroke but generally only lasts a few minutes with very little damage.

However, anyone who has had a Transient Ischemic Attack or TIA can know how scary it can be.

It's very important to know what causes a Transient Ischemic Attack or TIA (stroke)

Things You'll Need

• awareness of signs and symptoms of what could be a Transient Ischemic Attack or TIA (stroke)
• immediate medical attention if you or someone has these signs or symptoms

Instructions

1. Understanding the causes of a Transient Ischemic Attack or TIA is important. Usually TIA's occur when a blood clot temporarily clogs an artery and then part of the brain doesn't get the necessary blood that it needs. The Transient Ischemic Attack or TIA can range in time from less than a minute to maybe up to 5 minutes but the difference between a full fledged stroke is that a TIA doesn't leave any brain damage.

2. Symptoms of a Transient Ischemic Attack or TIA are as common as those of a stroke. Any of these symptoms should NEVER be ignored and need immediate medical attention.

   *SUDDEN numbness or weakness in the face an arm or leg. It is especially serious if it affects one side of the body.
   *SUDDEN confusion and/or trouble speaking or understanding if spoken to
   *SUDDEN trouble seeing in one or both eyes
   *SUDDEN trouble walking, dizziness or loss or balance and/or coordination
   *Any SUDDEN severe headache with no apparent cause

3. It is extremely important NEVER to ignore any of these symptoms even if they only last a minute or so. Medical attention is necessary because it is very likely that a person will either have more TIA's or eventually a full fledged stroke. TIA's are predictors that something is happening and in many cases the person will have a stroke within the first year of the first Transient Ischemic Attack or TIA.

4. If you or anyone shows signs of any of these symptoms call 9-1-1 immediately and get medical help. Prompt medical attention could prevent a fatal or disabling stroke.

Tips & Warnings

• call 9-1-1 immediately if you recognize any of these symptoms

• prompt medical attention can prevent fatal or disabling stroke

• Never ignore symptoms of a TIA. They can be the predictor that something serious is happening