Transient Ischemic Attack

A transient ischaemic attack (TIA) — often called a "mini-stroke" — is a brief episode of stroke-like symptoms caused by a short-lived interruption of blood supply to part of the brain. Symptoms usually resolve within minutes to an hour.

A TIA is a loud warning. Around 1 in 10 people who have a TIA will have a full stroke within the next week — often within 48 hours. Acting fast can prevent that stroke.

Recognise a TIA — the FAST test

• F — Face: one side of the face droops.
• A — Arm: one arm feels weak or falls when raised.
• S — Speech: speech is slurred, garbled, or the person can't find words.
• T — Time: even if symptoms have gone, dial 112 and get to a hospital now.

Other possible symptoms

• Numbness or weakness on one side of the body.
• Sudden vision loss in one eye, or double vision.
• Severe sudden dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
• Confusion or trouble understanding.

Why it happens

Most TIAs come from a small clot or debris briefly blocking a brain artery — usually from atherosclerosis (cholesterol plaques) in the neck or brain arteries, or from an irregular heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation that lets clots form in the heart.

What a Health Expert will do

• Urgent brain imaging (CT or MRI).
• Carotid artery ultrasound — looking for narrowings in the neck arteries.
• ECG and sometimes a longer heart-rhythm recording — looking for atrial fibrillation.
• Blood tests for sugar, cholesterol, kidney function.
• Starting treatment to prevent stroke — may include antiplatelet or anticoagulant medicines, blood-pressure and cholesterol control, and lifestyle changes.

Myth-correction

"Wait and see if it comes back." — do not wait. The highest-risk window is in the first 48 hours. Unproven home remedies and herbal drops do not stop or reverse stroke. Getting to a stroke-capable hospital is the step that saves brain.