Transient ischemic attack versus stroke: More similarities than differences

According to the American Stroke Association, one in five people who experience a transient ischemic attack (TIA) will have a stroke within 90 days. Because it’s difficult to determine whether symptoms are from TIA or a stroke, when given the appropriate scan, two in five will learn that they actually had a stroke instead of a TIA.

Transient ischemic attack versus stroke

TIA is often referred to as a “mini stroke,” but there is nothing trivial about it. A TIA is a stroke that may only last a few minutes but, similar to a larger stroke, experiencing one means that blood flow to the brain is blocked.

Like an ischemic stroke, a TIA is a medical emergency and if someone is experiencing symptoms, call 911 right away. 

TIA warning signs happen suddenly and quickly disappear

The symptoms of TIA are the same as a stroke and happen suddenly. But, unlike a stroke, they tend to go away quickly and completely in less than an hour.

There is no immediate way to tell if symptoms are from a TIA or a stroke, so getting medical care is urgent and necessary. When it comes to stroke and TIA symptoms, remember the acronym BE FAST. 

Call 911 if you or someone else is experiencing the following symptoms, even if temporary:

• numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg on one side of the body
• vision problems
• confusion, dizziness or severe headache
• difficulty speaking
• physical instability, loss of balance or coordination.

What is a transient ischemic attack?

A TIA is caused when blood flow to the brain is temporarily blocked. The blockage can be the result of plaque in the arteries or branches of the arteries that supply blood to the brain. 

Risk factors for TIA are same as stroke

TIA and stroke have the same risk factors. To lower your chance of experiencing one, it’s important to reduce those risks.  

Some risk factors can be controlled:

• Eat a healthy, balanced diet.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Don’t smoke or drink excessive alcohol. 
• Get more exercise.
• Work with your medical provider to control high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol. 

Risk factors you can’t change:

• Age. TIA risk increases with age, especially in adults 55 and older.
• Sex. Men are slightly more at risk than women.
• Family medical history. Risk increases if your biological family members have had TIA or stroke. 
• Personal medical history. If you have a cardiovascular disease, such as heart disease, carotid or peripheral artery disease, clotting disorders, diabetes, sickle cell disease, or other conditions, you have a higher risk of TIA or stroke. 

It’s important to talk to your provider about your risk factors and create a plan to help prevent stroke and TIA.

How TIA is diagnosed

A TIA can be diagnosed by a medical provider, usually in an emergency room, based on a person’s symptoms and a physical exam. A doctor may order imaging scans such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) or blood tests.

Treatment for TIA

Immediate care is necessary because only a doctor can determine between a TIA or stroke. 

A TIA on its own does not require treatment. Because the blockage in a TIA is brief and breaks up on its own, a TIA doesn’t cause long-term damage to the brain. This means someone who has had TIA shouldn’t need stroke rehabilitation. 

Upon diagnosing a TIA, a provider can help create a treatment plan to prevent a future stroke including medication to reduce the risk of blood clots or control other risk factors in your body or recommend clot removal surgery in certain cases. 

How to avoid stroke after a TIA

A TIA should not be ignored. About one-third of those who have a TIA will have a severe stroke sometime in the future. These “warning strokes” can often happen hours or days before a much larger stroke.

After experiencing a TIA, working with a medical provider to treat risk factors and make lifestyle changes is the most important way to prevent a future stroke.