Five things you should know about transient ischemic attacks (TIA)

A stroke is a debilitating and life-changing event. It often strikes without warning and can leave victims with permanent brain damage.

But, in about 12 percent of cases, there is a warning in the form of a transient ischemic attack, or TIA. Also known as a “mini-stroke,” a TIA is a temporary blockage of blood to the brain similar to a stroke. 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. Strokes kill someone in the United States every four minutes, and stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

We asked M Health Fairview Cerebrovascular Director Christopher Streib, MD, MS, to tell us five things we should know about TIAs and how seeking treatment right away can help prevent a catastrophic stroke.

A TIA looks and feels like a stroke but leaves no permanent damage.

Like a stroke, a TIA occurs when a blockage in a blood vessel stops the flow of blood to part of the brain. Unlike a stroke, TIA symptoms do not persist and resolve within 24 hours – and often much faster. A TIA doesn’t leave any permanent brain damage or cause lasting neurologic problems. However, it does involve many of the same signs and symptoms as a stroke.

A person experiencing a TIA might feel sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, have slurred speech, have trouble seeing or talking, and feel confused. The person may experience a combination of these symptoms at the same time.

“The real takeaway? A TIA is an event that comes and goes without causing any permanent brain damage, but it is a critical warning sign,” Streib said.