Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): Recognize and Act Fast

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is often called a mini-stroke, but don’t let the name fool you. Symptoms come on suddenly and then improve or disappear, yet a TIA is a major warning sign that a full stroke could happen soon. About one in three people who have a TIA will later have a stroke, many within a year, so quick action matters.

Recognize TIA: quick signs

TIAs usually cause the same symptoms as a stroke, but they last minutes to hours and resolve within 24 hours. Use FAST to remember the common signs, and watch for other sudden changes too:

• Face drooping on one side.
• Arm weakness or numbness on one side.
• Speech trouble: slurred or hard to understand.
• Time to call emergency services right away.
• Sudden vision loss or double vision.
• Sudden dizziness, loss of balance, or difficulty walking.
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

If symptoms clear up, that’s not a green light to wait. A resolved TIA still means there’s a problem with blood flow to the brain that needs urgent evaluation.

What to do and how to lower your risk

If you or someone else shows TIA signs, call emergency services immediately. Don’t drive to the hospital if you’re the patient. Note the time symptoms began or the last time the person was normal — that time window guides testing and treatment.

At the hospital doctors will run tests to find the cause: CT or MRI scan of the brain, carotid ultrasound, ECG to check for atrial fibrillation, blood tests, and sometimes an echocardiogram. Treatment depends on the cause. Common steps include starting antiplatelet drugs like aspirin or clopidogrel, anticoagulation if atrial fibrillation is found, statins for cholesterol, and blood pressure control. If a tight carotid artery is the culprit, a surgery called carotid endarterectomy or a stent may be recommended.

To cut your long-term risk: keep blood pressure under control, treat atrial fibrillation if present, stop smoking, manage diabetes, eat a balanced diet, stay active, and take prescribed meds exactly as directed. Small changes — swapping processed food for vegetables, walking 30 minutes most days, and quitting cigarettes — make a big difference.

After a TIA you should see a stroke specialist quickly. Many clinics aim to evaluate TIA patients within 24–48 hours because early assessment can prevent a major stroke. If you’ve had a TIA, treat it like a wake-up call: act fast, follow medical advice, and make steady lifestyle changes to protect your brain.