Topic Overview
What is a transient ischemic attack (TIA)?
Some
people call a transient ischemic attack (TIA) a mini-stroke, because the
symptoms are like those of a
stroke but don't last long. A TIA happens when blood
flow to part of the brain is blocked or reduced, often by a blood clot. After a
short time, blood flows again and the symptoms go away. With a stroke, the
blood flow stays blocked, and the brain has permanent damage.
A
TIA is a warning: it means you are likely to have a stroke in the future. If
you think you are having a TIA, call 911. Early treatment can help prevent a
stroke. If you think you have had a TIA but your symptoms have gone away, you
still need to call your doctor right away.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of a TIA are the same as symptoms of a stroke. But symptoms of a TIA occur suddenly and don't last very long. Most of the time, they go away in 10 to 20 minutes. They may include:
- Sudden numbness, tingling, weakness, or paralysis in your face, arm, or leg, especially on only one side of your body.
- Sudden vision changes.
- Sudden trouble speaking.
- Sudden confusion or trouble understanding simple statements.
- Sudden problems with walking or balance.
- A sudden, severe headache that is different from past headaches.
What causes a transient ischemic attack?
A blood
clot is the most common cause of a TIA. Blood clots can be the result of
hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis),
heart attack, or
abnormal heart rhythms. Brain cells are affected
within seconds of the blockage. That causes symptoms in the parts of the body
controlled by those cells. After the clot dissolves, blood flow returns, and the
symptoms go away.
Sometimes a TIA is caused by a sharp drop in
blood pressure that reduces blood flow to the brain. This is called a
"low-flow" TIA. It is not as common as other types.
What tests do you need after a TIA?
Your doctor will
do tests to look at your heart and blood vessels. You may need:
Your doctor will also check to see if something else is
causing your symptoms.
How is a TIA treated?
Your doctor will start you on
medicines to help prevent a stroke. You may need to take several
medicines.
If tests show that the blood vessels (carotid arteries) in your neck are too narrow, you may
need surgery to open them up (carotid endarterectomy). This can help prevent
blood clots that block blood flow to your brain.
Another type of surgery is
carotid artery stenting. During this surgery, the doctor puts a small tube
called a
stent inside your carotid artery. This helps keep the
artery open. Carotid artery stenting is not as common as endarterectomy.
How can you prevent another TIA or stroke?
After you have had a
TIA, you are at risk for having another TIA or a stroke. But you can make some important
lifestyle changes that can reduce your risk of stroke and improve your overall
health.
Treat any health problems you have
- Manage high blood pressure or high cholesterol by working with your doctor.
- Manage diabetes. Keep your blood sugar levels within a target range.
- If your doctor recommends that you take aspirin or a blood thinner, take it. This can help prevent a stroke.
- Take your medicine exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think you are having a problem with your medicine.
Adopt a healthy lifestyle
- Don't smoke or allow others to smoke around you.
- Limit alcohol to 2 drinks a day for men and 1 drink a day for women.
- Stay at a healthy weight. Being overweight makes it more likely that you will develop high blood pressure, heart problems, and diabetes. These conditions make a stroke more likely.
- Do activities that raise your heart rate. Get at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week. Walking is a good choice. You also may want to do other activities, such as running, swimming, cycling, or playing tennis or team sports.
- Eat a balanced diet that is low in cholesterol, saturated fats, and salt. These foods can make hardening of the arteries worse. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Eat fish at least once a month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learning about TIA: | |
Being diagnosed: | |
Getting treatment: | |
Ongoing concerns: | |
Living with TIA: | |
Cause
Blood clots that temporarily block
blood flow to the brain are the most common cause of
transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). Blood clots may
develop for a variety of reasons.
- A blood clot can form in an artery that
supplies blood to the brain.
- Blood clots usually form in arteries
damaged by
plaque buildup, which is a process called
atherosclerosis. High blood pressure may damage arteries and cause plaque to build up.
- Long-standing
high blood pressure or
diabetes may damage smaller blood vessels in the
brain, causing a clot to form within the blood vessels and block blood flow.
- A blood clot can form in another part of the body
(often the heart) and travel through the bloodstream to an artery that supplies
blood to the brain. For example, clots may form:
Also, an artery that is partially blocked with
plaque can reduce blood flow to the brain and cause
symptoms.
Rare causes of blood clots that can cause a TIA include:
- Clumps of bacteria, tumor cells, or air bubbles
that move through the bloodstream.
- Conditions that cause blood
cells to stick together. For example, having too many red blood cells (polycythemia), abnormal
clotting factors, or abnormally shaped red blood
cells, such as those caused by
sickle cell disease, may cause blood clots to form.
- Inflammation in the blood vessels, which may develop from
conditions such as
syphilis,
tuberculosis, or other inflammatory
diseases.
- A head or neck injury that results in damage to blood
vessels in the head or neck.
- A tear in the wall of a blood vessel
located in the neck.
Symptoms
A
TIA is a warning: It means you are likely to have a stroke in the future. If
you think you are having a TIA, call 911. Early treatment can help prevent a
stroke. If you think you had a TIA but your symptoms went away, you
still need to call your doctor right away.
Symptoms of
transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) occur suddenly and
are always temporary. They usually go away in 10 to 20 minutes. TIA
symptoms are just like
stroke symptoms. They vary depending on which part of
the brain is affected. Common symptoms of TIA may include:
- Sudden numbness, tingling, weakness, or loss of movement in your face, arm, or leg, especially on only one side of your body.
- Sudden vision changes.
- Sudden trouble speaking.
- Sudden confusion or trouble understanding simple statements.
- Sudden problems with walking or balance.
- A sudden, severe headache that is different from past headaches.
If symptoms last longer than an hour, it might be more likely that you have had a stroke.
What Happens
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a
warning sign that a stroke may soon follow. Any symptoms of a TIA need to be
treated as an emergency.
- After a TIA, 9 to 17 out of 100 people will have a stroke in less than 90 days.1 The risk of stroke is highest in the first 30 days after a TIA.
- A TIA happens before about 15 out of 100 strokes.1
A TIA also may signal an increased risk for a
heart attack.
Atherosclerosis, which is hardening of the arteries,
affects blood vessels throughout the body, including arteries that supply blood
to the heart and brain. Atherosclerosis that affects the blood vessels in the
heart (coronary arteries) may cause chest pain or a heart attack.
What Increases Your Risk
The risk factors (things that increase risk) for transient ischemic attack (TIA) and stroke include those you can treat or change and those you can't change.
Risk factors you can treat or change include:
- High blood pressure (hypertension).
- Atrial fibrillation.
- Diabetes.
- Smoking.
- High cholesterol.
- Heavy use of
alcohol.
- Being overweight.
- Physical
inactivity.
Risk factors you cannot change
include:
- Age. The risk of TIA and stroke increases with age.
- Race. African Americans, Native Americans, and Alaskan Natives
have a higher risk than those of other races.
- Gender. TIA and stroke are more common in
men than women until age 75, when more women than men have strokes. Because
women live longer than men, more women have strokes each year.
- Family history. The risk for TIA and stroke is greater if
a parent, brother, or sister has had a stroke or
a transient ischemic attack (TIA).
- History
of stroke or TIA.
When To Call a Doctor
Call 911 or other emergency services immediately if you have:
- Sudden numbness, tingling, weakness, or loss of movement in your face, arm, or leg, especially on only one side of your body.
- Sudden vision changes.
- Sudden trouble speaking.
- Sudden confusion or trouble understanding simple statements.
- Sudden problems with walking or balance.
- A sudden, severe headache that is different from past headaches.
Call your doctor immediately if you
have:
Call your doctor today if you think you have had a TIA in
the past and have not yet talked with your doctor about your symptoms.
Who to see
The following doctors can diagnose and treat a
transient ischemic attack (TIA):
Other specialists may be consulted if you need surgery
or have other health problems:
To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.
Exams and Tests
Immediate evaluation is recommended
if you have had or are having a
transient ischemic attack (TIA). The purpose of
evaluation is to:
- Check for another cause of your symptoms, such
as a
stroke, low blood sugar (if you have diabetes), or
Bell's palsy.
- Look for a blood
clot.
- Find out whether you need surgery to reopen a blocked artery
(carotid endarterectomy).
- Find out whether you need medicines to
prevent blood clots.
If your TIA symptoms have completely disappeared, the
results of a
physical exam will be normal, and the diagnosis of a
TIA usually will be based on your
medical history and certain tests.
Tests to detect a TIA
If a
TIA is suspected, the doctor may want to do tests, such as a:
- CT scan of the head, to check for bleeding in the brain when symptoms of a TIA are
occurring and to check for evidence of a stroke or other disease, such as a
tumor.
- MRI scan, to check for damage to the
brain from a stroke.
Tests to find the cause of a TIA
Further tests are often done to identify the cause of the TIA. If blockage of the
carotid arteries is suspected, you may have tests such
as:
TIA symptoms may be due to blood clots caused by a heart
problem. If heart problems are suspected, you may have tests such as a:
You may have other blood tests, such as a
complete blood count (CBC), chemistry screen, and prothrombin time based on your age and
medical history. Your doctor will use these tests to look for other causes of
the TIA.
Treatment Overview
Getting help for a TIA
If you have symptoms of a
TIA, get medical help
right away.
If you had symptoms of a TIA but you feel better now, you still need to see a doctor right away. A TIA is a sign that a stroke may soon follow. Prompt medical
treatment may prevent a stroke.
Treatment for a TIA
If you've had a transient ischemic attack (TIA), you may need further testing and treatment after you've been checked by your doctor. If you have a high risk of stroke, you may have to stay in the hospital for treatment.
Your treatment for a TIA may include taking medicines to prevent a stroke or having surgery to reopen narrow arteries.
Medicines may include aspirin,
clopidogrel, dipyridamole with aspirin, or warfarin.
If your
carotid arteries are significantly blocked, you may
need surgery to reopen the narrowed arteries (carotid endarterectomy).
Preventing another TIA or stroke
Your treatment will also focus on
preventing another
TIA or stroke. This may include:
-
Reducing high blood pressure, the most common risk factor for
stroke, by making changes to your diet and taking medicines that lower blood pressure.
- Taking aspirin or another antiplatelet medicine to
prevent strokes.
- Controlling
diabetes. Your doctor will advise that you try to keep
your blood sugar levels in a target range. To do this, you may
need to take oral medicines or insulin. Eating a healthy diet and getting
plenty of exercise will also help.
- Getting a flu shot every year to
help you avoid getting sick from the
flu.
You may also need to make lifestyle changes such
as quitting smoking, eating heart-healthy foods, and being more active.
Prevention
You can help prevent a
transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke by controlling your
risk factors for
stroke.
Know your stroke risk
These are some of the common risk factors for stroke:
Treat any health problems you have
- Manage high blood pressure or high cholesterol by working with your doctor.
- Manage diabetes. Keep your blood sugar levels within a target range.
- If your doctor advises you to take aspirin or a blood thinner, take it. This can help prevent a stroke.
- Take your medicine exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think you are having a problem with your medicine.
Adopt a healthy lifestyle
- Don't smoke or allow others to smoke around you. For more information, see the topic Quitting Smoking.
-
Limit alcohol to 2 drinks a day for men and 1 drink a day for women.
- Stay at a healthy weight. Being overweight makes it more likely you will develop high blood pressure, heart problems, and diabetes. These conditions make a stroke more likely.
- Do activities that raise your heart rate. Get at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week. Walking is a good choice. You also may want to do other activities, such as running, swimming, cycling, or playing tennis or team sports.
Fitness: Walking for Wellness
- Eat a balanced diet that is low in cholesterol, saturated fats, and salt. What kind of diet you use (What is a PDF document?) depends on your individual risks, your doctor's recommendation, and your preference.
Home Treatment
Home treatment is not appropriate for
a
transient ischemic attack (TIA). If you think you are
having a TIA, don't ignore the symptoms, and don't try to manage them at home.
If you had symptoms of a TIA but they went away, you still need to see a doctor right away.
Seek emergency medical care when symptoms first appear.
Prompt treatment may keep you from having a
stroke.
You can care for yourself at home by adopting healthy habits that help you prevent another TIA or stroke. To learn more, see Prevention.
Medications
Your doctor will probably prescribe
several medicines after you have had a
transient ischemic attack (TIA). Medicines to prevent
blood clots are typically used, because blood clots can cause TIAs and
strokes.
The types of medicines that
prevent clotting are:
- Antiplatelet
medicines.
- Anticoagulant medicines.
Cholesterol-lowering and blood pressure-lowering medicines
are also used to prevent TIAs and strokes.
Antiplatelet medicines
Antiplatelet medicines keep
platelets in the blood from sticking together.
- Aspirin (for example, Bayer) is most often used to prevent TIAs
and strokes.
- Aspirin combined with dipyridamole (Aggrenox)
is a safe and effective alternative to aspirin.
- Clopidogrel (Plavix) may be used
for people who cannot take aspirin.
Anticoagulants
Anticoagulants such as warfarin (for example, Coumadin) prevent blood clots from forming and keep existing blood clots from getting bigger. You may need to take this type of medicine after a TIA if you have atrial fibrillation or another condition that makes you more likely to have a stroke. For more information, see the topic Atrial Fibrillation.
Statins
Statins lower cholesterol and can greatly reduce the risk of stroke in people who have had a TIA. Statins even protect against stroke in people who don't have heart disease or high cholesterol.2
Blood pressure medicines
If you have high blood pressure, your doctor may want you to take medicines to lower it. Blood pressure medicines include:
Surgery
If you have a serious blockage in the carotid arteries in your neck, you may need a carotid endarterectomy. During this surgery, a surgeon removes plaque buildup in the carotid arteries to reduce the risk of transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke.
The benefits and risks of this surgery must be carefully weighed, because the surgery itself may cause a stroke. Your need to have carotid endarterectomy depends on whether you have had a TIA or stroke and how much your carotid arteries have narrowed.
Stroke: Should I Have Carotid Endarterectomy?
Other Treatment
Carotid artery stenting (also called carotid angioplasty and stenting) is sometimes done as an alternative to surgery to prevent transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke. In this procedure, a doctor threads a thin tube called a catheter through an artery in the groin and up to the carotid artery in your neck. The doctor then uses a tiny balloon to enlarge the narrowed portion of the artery and places a stent to keep the artery open. Carotid artery stenting is not as common as carotid endarterectomy.
Other Places To Get Help
Organizations
| National Institute of Neurological Disorders and
Stroke |
| NIH Neurological Institute |
| P.O. Box 5801 |
| Bethesda, MD 20824 |
| Phone: | 1-800-352-9424 |
| Phone: | (301) 496-5751 |
| TDD: | (301) 468-5981 |
| Web Address: | www.ninds.nih.gov |
| |
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and
Stroke (NINDS), a part of the National Institutes of Health, is the leading
U.S. federal government agency supporting research on brain and nervous system
disorders. It provides the public with educational materials and information
about these disorders. |
|
|
Society for Interventional Radiology
|
| 3975 Fair Ridge Drive |
| Suite 400 North |
| Fairfax, VA 22033 |
| Phone: |
1-800-488-7284
|
| Web Address: | www.sirweb.org |
| |
|
The Society of Interventional Radiology is a national organization of physicians, scientists, and health professionals dedicated to improving public health through disease management and minimally invasive, image-guided therapies.
Intervention radiology includes using X-rays, MRI, and other imaging to move a thin tube in the body, usually in an artery, to treat a disease. An example is angioplasty for heart disease. The Web site includes a section on patient information. This section gives information on therapies for various diseases and conditions. The Web site can also help you find a doctor.
|
|
| American Heart Association (AHA) |
| 7272 Greenville Avenue |
| Dallas, TX 75231 |
| Phone: | 1-800-AHA-USA1 (1-800-242-8721) |
| Web Address: | www.heart.org |
| |
Visit the American Heart Association (AHA) website for information on
physical activity, diet, and various heart-related conditions. You can search for information on heart disease and stroke, share information with friends and family, and use tools to help you make heart-healthy goals and plans. Contact the AHA to find your
nearest local or state AHA group. The AHA provides brochures and information
about support groups and community programs, including Mended Hearts, a
nationwide organization whose members visit people with heart problems and
provide information and support. |
|
| HeartHub for Patients |
| Web Address: | www.hearthub.org |
| |
HeartHub for Patients is a website from the American Heart
Association. It provides patient-focused information, tools, and resources
about heart diseases and stroke. The site helps you understand and manage your
health. It includes online tools that explain your risks and treatment options.
The site includes articles, the latest news in health and research, videos,
interactive tools, forums and community groups, and e-newsletters. The website includes health centers that cover heart rhythm problems,
cardiac rehabilitation, caregivers, cholesterol, diabetes, heart attack, heart
failure, high blood pressure, peripheral artery disease, and stroke. HeartHub for Patients also links to Heart360.org, another American Heart Association
website. Heart360 is a tool that helps you send and receive medical
information with your doctor. It also helps you monitor your health at home. It
gives you access to tools to manage and monitor high blood pressure, diabetes,
high cholesterol, physical activity, and nutrition. |
|
| National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
(NHLBI) |
| P.O. Box 30105 |
| Bethesda, MD 20824-0105 |
| Phone: | (301) 592-8573 |
| Fax: | (240) 629-3246 |
| TDD: | (240) 629-3255 |
| Email: | nhlbiinfo@nhlbi.nih.gov |
| Web Address: | www.nhlbi.nih.gov |
| |
The U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
(NHLBI) information center offers information and publications about preventing
and treating: - Diseases affecting the heart and circulation, such as heart
attacks, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, peripheral artery disease, and
heart problems present at birth (congenital heart diseases).
- Diseases that affect the lungs, such as asthma, chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, sleep apnea, and
pneumonia.
- Diseases that affect the blood, such as anemia,
hemochromatosis, hemophilia, thalassemia, and von Willebrand disease.
|
|
| National Stroke Association |
| 9707 East Easter Lane, Building B |
| Centennial, CO 80112 |
| Phone: | 1-800-STROKES (1-800-787-6537) |
| Fax: | (303) 649-1328 |
| Email: | info@stroke.org |
| Web Address: | www.stroke.org |
| |
This association provides education, information,
referrals, and research on stroke. Information specific to survivors,
caregivers, family, women, and children is included. |
|
References
Citations
- Roger VL, et al. (2011). Heart disease and stroke statistics 2011 update: A report from the American Heart Association. Circulation, 123(4): e18–e209.
- Furie KL, et al. (2011). Guidelines for the prevention of stroke in patients with stroke or transient ischemic attack: A guideline for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Stroke. Published online October 21, 2010 (doi: 10.1161./STR.0b013e3181f7d043).
Other Works Consulted
- Biller J, et al. (1998). Guidelines for carotid
endarterectomy: A statement for healthcare professionals from a special writing
group of the Stroke Council of the American Heart Association. Circulation, 97(5): 501–509.
- Easton JD, et al. (2009). Definition and evaluation of transient ischemic attack: A scientific statement for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Stroke Council; Council on Cardiovascular Surgery and Anesthesia; Council on Cardiovascular Radiology and Intervention; Council on Cardiovascular Nursing; and the Interdisciplinary Council on Peripheral Vascular Disease. Stroke, 40(6): 2276–2293. Also available online: http://stroke.ahajournals.org/cgi/reprint/40/6/2276.
- ESPRIT Study Group (2006). Aspirin plus dipyridamole
versus aspirin alone after cerebral ischaemia of arterial origin (ESPRIT): A
randomized controlled trial. Lancet, 367(9523):
1665–1673.
- Rothwell PM, et al. (2007). Effect of urgent treatment of transient ischaemic attack and minor stroke on early recurrent stroke (EXPRESS study): A prospective population-based sequential comparison. Lancet, 370(9596): 1432–1442.
- Skinner JS, Cooper A (2009). Secondary prevention of ischaemic cardiac events, search date October 2007. Online version of BMJ Clinical Evidence: http://www.clinicalevidence.com.
- Smith SC, et al. (2011). AHA/ACCF secondary prevention and risk reduction therapy for patients with coronary and other atherosclerotic vascular disease: 2011 update: A guideline from the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology Foundation. Circulation, 124(22): 2458–2473.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2008).
2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (ODPHP
Publication No. U0036). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
Available online:
http://www.health.gov/paguidelines/guidelines/default.aspxf.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Richard D. Zorowitz, MD - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation |
|---|
| Last Revised | February 7, 2012 |
|---|
