Experiences with
Transient ischaemic attack (TIA)Symptoms of a transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
The main symptoms of a TIA can be remembered with the word FAST:
- Face – the face may have dropped on 1 side, the person may not be able to smile, or their mouth or eye may have dropped.
- Arms – the person may not be able to lift both arms and keep them raised because of weakness or numbness in 1 arm.
- Speech – their speech may be slurred or garbled, or the person may not be able to talk at all, despite appearing to be awake; they may also have problems understanding what you're saying to them.
- Time – it's time to call 999 immediately if you see any of these signs or symptoms.
Causes of a transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
During a transient ischaemic attack (TIA), 1 of the blood vessels that supply your brain with oxygen-rich blood becomes blocked.
This blockage is usually caused by a blood clot that's formed elsewhere in your body and travelled to the blood vessels supplying the brain, although it can also be caused by pieces of fatty material or air bubbles.
Certain things can increase your chances of having a TIA, including:
- smoking
- high blood pressure (hypertension)
- obesity
- high cholesterol levels
- regularly drinking an excessive amount of alcohol
- having a type of irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation
- having diabetes
People over 55 years of age and people of Asian, African or Caribbean descent are also at a higher risk of having a TIA.
Treating a transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
Although the symptoms of a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) resolve in a few minutes or hours, you'll need treatment to help prevent another TIA or a full stroke happening in the future.
Treatment will depend on your individual circumstances, such as your age and medical history.
You're likely to be given advice about lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your stroke risk, and be offered medicine to treat the cause of the TIA.
In some cases, a surgery called a carotid endarterectomy may be needed to unblock your carotid arteries, which are the main blood vessels that supply your brain with blood.
Preventing a transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
A transient ischaemic attack (TIA) is often a sign that another one may follow and you're at a high risk of having a full, life-threatening stroke in the near future.
Regardless of whether you have had a TIA or stroke in the past, there are several ways you can lower your risk of having either in the future.
These include:
- maintaining a healthy weight
- eating a healthy, balanced diet
- doing regular exercise
- limiting alcohol
- not smoking
Common symptoms of a transient ischaemic attack include your face dropping on 1 side, not being able to lift your arms, and speech problems.
Treatments often used after a transient ischaemic attack include medicines to prevent blood clots and surgery to improve blood supply to the brain.
Transient ischaemic attacks are usually caused by a clot blocking the blood supply to the brain. They're often linked to an unhealthy lifestyle.
You can reduce your risk of transient ischaemic attacks by eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and not smoking.
Related links
Transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
HealthUnlocked contains information from NHS Digital, licensed under the current version of the Open Government Licence