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Summary
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a stroke that comes and goes quickly. It happens when the blood supply to part of the brain stops briefly. Symptoms of a TIA are like other stroke symptoms, but do not last as long. They happen suddenly, and include
- Numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body
- Confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech
- Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Loss of balance or coordination
Most symptoms of a TIA disappear within an hour, although they may last for up to 24 hours. Because you cannot tell if these symptoms are from a TIA or a stroke, you should get to the hospital quickly.
TIAs are often a warning sign for future strokes. Taking medicine, such as blood thinners, may reduce your risk of a stroke. Your doctor might also recommend surgery.
NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
- TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack) (American Stroke Association)
- Transient Ischemic Attack (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
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Transient Ischemic Attack
(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
- Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) (National Stroke Association)
Symptoms
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Stroke Risk Factors and Symptoms (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
Also in Spanish
Diagnosis and Tests
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Carotid Ultrasound (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) -- Head
(Radiological Society of North America, American College of Radiology)
Also in Spanish
- Stroke Warning Signs (American Stroke Association)
Prevention and Risk Factors
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Carotid Endarterectomy (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)
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Stents (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)
Treatments and Therapies
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MedlinePlus: Blood Thinners (National Library of Medicine)
Also in Spanish
- Non-Surgical Procedures Open Blocked Arteries to Prevent and Treat Stroke (Society of Interventional Radiology)
Related Issues
- Healthy Living after Stroke (American Stroke Association)
- Mini-Stroke vs. Regular Stroke: What's the Difference? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Genetics
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Genetics Home Reference: moyamoya disease (National Library of Medicine)
Videos and Tutorials
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Transient Ischemic Attack (American Heart Association)
Statistics and Research
- Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics (American Heart Association)
Clinical Trials
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Ischemic Attack, Transient (National Institutes of Health)
Journal ArticlesReferences and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
Patient Handouts
- Transient ischemic attack Also in Spanish
- Vertebrobasilar circulatory disorders Also in Spanish
