Introduction

A transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or "mini stroke" is caused by a temporary disruption in the blood supply to part of the brain.

The disruption in blood supply results in a lack of oxygen to the brain. This can cause sudden symptoms similar to those of a Heat exhaustion and heatstroke , such as speech and visual disturbance, and numbness orweakness in the face, arms and legs.

However, a TIA does not last as long as a stroke. The effects often only last for a few minutes or hours and fully resolve within 24 hours.

Signs and symptoms

The main symptoms of a TIA can be remembered with the word FAST: Face-Arms-Speech-Time.

  • Face the face may have dropped on one side, the person may not be able to smile, or their mouth or eye may have dropped.
  • Arms the person with suspected stroke may not be able to lift both arms and keep them there because of arm weakness or numbness in one 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.
  • Time it is time to dial 999 immediately if you see any of these signs or symptoms.

Even if the symptoms disappear while you are waiting for the ambulance to arrive, an assessment in hospital should still be carried out.

A TIA is a warning that you are at risk of having a full stroke in the near future, and an assessment can help doctors to determine the best way to reduce the chances of this happening.

If you think you may have had a TIA previously, but the symptoms have since passed and you didn't seek medical advice at the time, you should make an urgent appointment with your GP so they can determine whether to refer you for a hospital assessment.

These include:

  • maintaining a healthy weight
  • eating healthily
  • taking regular exercise
  • limiting your alcohol consumption
  • not smoking

Read more about howlifestyle factors can helpto prevent a TIA .

Content supplied by the NHS Website

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 20 May 2016