What is the main cause of a TIA?

The underlying cause of a TIA often is a buildup of cholesterol-containing fatty deposits called plaques (atherosclerosis) in an artery or one of its branches that supplies oxygen and nutrients to the brain. Plaques can decrease the blood flow through an artery or lead to the development of a clot.

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Can TIAs be brought on by stress?

Higher levels of stress, hostility and depressive symptoms are associated with significantly increased risk of incident stroke or TIA in middle-aged and older adults.

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How serious is a TIA?

TIAs look like strokes in terms of signs and symptoms, but they are temporary. In other words, they leave no lasting brain damage or residual symptoms. However, they serve as a warning sign that a person is at higher risk of a major stroke and should seek immediate medical attention.

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What happens after a TIA?

After a TIA, the blockage breaks up quickly and dissolves on its own. A TIA does not cause brain tissue to die. The loss of blood flow to an area of the brain can be caused by: A blood clot in an artery of the brain.

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What are the warning signs of a TIA?

Other signs and symptoms may include:
  • complete paralysis of one side of the body.
  • sudden vision loss, blurred vision or double vision.
  • vertigo.
  • being sick.
  • dizziness.
  • confusion.
  • difficulty understanding what others are saying.
  • problems with balance and co-ordination.

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Stroke Prevention & Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

39 related questions found

How many TIAs can a person have?

Some people might have more than one TIA and it is possible to have several TIAs in a short space of time (for example, several TIAs within a day).

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How do doctors confirm a TIA?

An MRI scan is most often used. This type of scan uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to create an image of your brain.

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Should you rest after a TIA?

Although a TIA should not have a long-term impact on your daily activities, you must stop driving immediately. If your doctor is happy that you have made a good recovery and there are no lasting effects after 1 month, you can start driving again.

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What medication is prescribed after a TIA?

Dipyridamole and aspirin — Dipyridamole is a medication that may be given after a TIA to reduce the risk of stroke. It is often given as an extended-release form, combined with aspirin (aspirin-extended-release dipyridamole, brand name: Aggrenox). It is taken two times per day.

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Do blood thinners prevent TIA?

Taking blood-thinning medication is often one of the main ways you can reduce your risk of a stroke if you have had a stroke or TIA, or have a heart condition. By reducing the risk of clots forming, they give you a much greater chance of recovering and staying healthy after a stroke.

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Does a TIA mean a bigger stroke is coming?

TIAs are often called “mini-strokes” because their immediate consequences are fairly benign. But the term “warning stroke” is a better label, because a TIA usually foreshadows a full-blown stroke. TIAs are caused by a clot or blockage in the brain. The blockage is short term.

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Are TIAs considered strokes?

A transient ischaemic attack (TIA or mini-stroke) is the same as a stroke, but the symptoms last a short time. You get stroke symptoms because a clot is blocking the blood supply in your brain. When the clot moves away, the stroke symptoms stop.

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What does a TIA feel like in your head?

Weakness, numbness or paralysis in the face, arm or leg, typically on one side of the body. Slurred or garbled speech or difficulty understanding others. Blindness in one or both eyes or double vision. Vertigo or loss of balance or coordination.

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Are TIAs mini heart attacks?

A TIA has the same symptoms as a stroke, but they are temporary as the clot naturally dissolves or is dislodged from the blockage. While it is sometimes called a mini stroke, a TIA does not usually cause long-term brain damage. A person who has had a TIA is at greater risk of having a stroke or heart attack.

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How do you feel days after a TIA?

After your acute care and recovery, you may notice any number of these long-term effects of TIA:
  1. Memory problems.
  2. Difficulties with executive functioning.
  3. Emotional symptoms (such as irritability or anxiety).
  4. Brain fog, trouble concentrating, and word-finding struggles.
  5. Visual difficulties.
  6. Mildly slurred speech.

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Do TIAs go away by themselves?

Although the symptoms of a TIA stop on their own, you'll need treatment to help reduce the risk of another TIA or a full stroke. Appropriate treatment following a TIA can help to reduce your risk of having one. Your doctor will tell you about lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your stroke risk.

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Do you need blood thinners after a TIA?

If you have had a TIA or an ischaemic stroke you will almost always need to take blood-thinners. There are two types of blood thinners: Antiplatelet medication. Antiplatelet medicines stop tiny blood cells called platelets from sticking together and forming a blood clot.

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Do they keep you in hospital for TIA?

You do not need to be admitted to hospital because of a TIA, but this is often done because of the absence of an alternative. Many TIA clinics now offer a “one-stop” service for which the patient is assessed, investigated (or investigated before the appointment), and given results at the same session.

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How do you stop further TIAs?

If you've already had a TIA, making these changes can help reduce your risk of having a full stroke or another TIA in the future.
  1. Diet. ...
  2. Exercise. ...
  3. Stop smoking. ...
  4. Cut down on alcohol. ...
  5. Managing underlying conditions.

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Can you avoid a stroke after a TIA?

Yes. Although your risk of having a stroke is higher if you have already had a stroke or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA or mini-stroke), you can reduce your risk of another stroke. It's important that you take the medication that you're prescribed, and make any lifestyle changes you need.

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Do TIAs show up on MRI?

In a previously reported study, 31% of TIA patients showed an acute infarction visualized by MRI including DWI. A strong association was found between neurological symptoms, speech dysfunction and weakness and an evidence of acute infarction by MRI including DWI (Al-Khaled and Eggers, 2013).

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Can I drive after a TIA?

You're not legally allowed to drive for a month after a stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA). Some people have to stop driving for longer, or will not be able to drive again.

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Can you have a TIA and be fine?

Symptoms of a TIA come on suddenly. You may feel perfectly fine one minute and then suddenly develop difficulty speaking or moving one side of your body. Sometimes the symptoms will come and go several times in a short period of time.

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Can a neurologist tell if you had a TIA?

Neurologists were more likely to diagnose transient ischemic attack based on clinical features including negative symptoms or speech deficits.

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Can doctors tell if you've had a mini stroke?

The only way to tell the difference between a ministroke and a stroke is by having a doctor look at an image of your brain with either a CT scan or an MRI scan. If you've had an ischemic stroke, it's likely that it won't show up on a CT scan of your brain for 24 to 48 hours. An MRI scan usually shows a stroke sooner.

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