Transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
A transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or “mini stroke” is caused by a temporary disruption in the blood supply to part of the brain.
The disruption in blood supply results in a lack of oxygen to the brain. This can cause sudden symptoms similar to a stroke, such as speech and visual disturbance, and numbness or weakness in the face, arms and legs.
However, a TIA doesn’t last as long as a stroke. The effects often only last for a few minutes or hours and fully resolve within 24 hours.
Stroke
A stroke is a serious life-threatening medical condition that occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. Strokes are a medical emergency and urgent treatment is essential.
The sooner a person receives treatment for a stroke, the less damage is likely to happen. If you suspect that you or someone else is having a stroke, phone 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance.
The main symptoms of a TIA can be remembered with the word FAST: Face-Arms-Speech-Time.
Face – the face may have dropped on one side, the person may not be able to smile, or their mouth or eye may have dropped.
Arms – the person with suspected stroke may not be able to lift both arms and keep them there because of arm weakness or numbness in one arm.
Speech – their speech may be slurred or garbled, or the person may not be able to talk at all, despite appearing to be awake.
Time – it is time to dial 999 immediately if you see any of these signs or symptoms.
During a TIA, one of the blood vessels that supply your brain with oxygen-rich blood becomes blocked.
This blockage is usually caused by a blood clot that has formed elsewhere in your body and travelled to the blood vessels supplying the brain, although it can also be caused by pieces of fatty material or air bubbles.
Certain things can increase your chances of having a TIA, including:
smoking
having high blood pressure (hypertension)
being obese
having high cholesterol levels
regularly drinking an excessive amount of alcohol
having atrial fibrillation (a type of irregular heartbeat)
having diabetes
People over 60 years of age, and people of Asian, African or Caribbean descent are also at a higher risk of having a TIA.
Although the symptoms of a TIA resolve in a few minutes or hours, you’ll need treatment to help prevent another TIA or a full stroke happening in the future.
Your treatment will depend on your individual circumstances, such as your age and medical history.
You’re likely to be given advice about lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your stroke risk, in addition to being offered medication to treat the underlying cause of your TIA.
In some cases, surgery may be needed to unblock the carotid arteries (the main blood vessels that supply the brain with blood).
A TIA is often a sign that another one may follow and you’re at a high risk of having a full, life-threatening stroke in the near future.
Regardless of whether you’ve had a TIA or stroke in the past, there are a number of ways you can lower your risk of having either in the future. These include:
maintaining a healthy weight
eating healthily
taking regular exercise
limiting your alcohol consumption
not smoking
Further Information
For more information on TIA and Stroke please do not hesitate to get in touch with Dr Deering through our appointments page.
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