Transient ischaemic attack | Mate rehu ohotata iti

TIA is when blood supply to a part of the brain is temporarily blocked. In most cases, this is caused by a blood clot which develops because of plaque.  

Plaque is a buildup of cholesterol-containing fatty deposits in a blood vessel. It can decrease the blood flow through the blood vessel and lead to the development of a clot.

If the blood flow to a blood vessel that supplies your brain or eye is blocked, then the symptoms of TIA occur. The blockage is temporary because the clot either dissolves or moves. After this the blood supply to the brain returns to normal and the signs disappear. Most TIA lasts less than 5 minutes. 

You may have more than one TIA, and the signs and symptoms of each may be similar or different depending on which area of the brain is involved.

Image credit: Stroke Foundation NZ

The factors that increase your chances of having a TIA are the same as those that increase your risk of stroke. 

The symptoms of a TIA are the same as those of a stroke, but unlike a stroke they only last for a few minutes or hours.

Like a stroke, the signs and symptoms of a TIA usually begin suddenly.

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

• Face – has the face dropped on one side? Is one side of the smile droopy?
• Arms – can both arms be lifted about the head and kept there, or is one arm weak or numb?
• Speech – is speech slurred or garbled? 
• Time – lost time is lost brain. Dial 111 immediately if you notice any of these signs or symptoms.

It's not possible to tell the difference between TIA and stroke in the early stages, so urgent medical help must be sought if any of the signs and symptoms above are noticed. 

Even if the symptoms have stopped before help arrives, you should still go to hospital for assessment. TIA is a warning sign that stroke is going to happen in the near future. Getting checked out gives your medical team the chance to determine the best way to lower the risk of this happening. 

If you think you may have had a TIA previously and didn't get it checked out, make an appointment to see your doctor urgently. They will assess whether you need to go to hospital for further assessment. 

Although the symptoms of a TIA go away in a few minutes or hours, you will need treatment to help prevent another TIA or a full stroke happening in the future. Your treatment will depend on your individual circumstances, such as your age and medical history. Treatment usually includes medication to reduce the risk of blood clots forming such as:

TIA or ministroke(external link) Stroke Foundation NZ
Transient ischaemic attack(external link) NHS Choices UK
Transient ischaemic attack – explained(external link) Watch, Learn, Live – Interactive Cardiovascular Library – American Heart Association

Stroke | Mate rehu ohotata
Blood clots (poketoto)

Brochures

Apps/Tools

Stroke Riskometer app

Clinical resources

From Transient ischaemic attack – shoot first ask questions later(external link) BPAC, NZ, 2011 

• A transient ischaemic attack (TIA) is a medical emergency due to the high risk that stroke will occur within the next 48 hours.
• Aspirin, a statin and an antihypertensive medicine should be given to all patients immediately following a suspected TIA – if they are fully recovered and without contraindications.
• All patients with a suspected TIA should have their risk of stroke assessed using the ABCD² tool, and then be referred to secondary care for urgent investigation and treatment (according to local protocols).
• As soon as a diagnosis of TIA is confirmed, risk factors should be assessed and a long-term, individualised secondary prevention plan implemented.

Transient ischaemic attack: a medical emergency(external link) BPAC, NZ, 2009

Continuing professional development 

Stroke and TIA clinical update

(Goodfellow Unit Webinar, NZ, 2020)

Managing common neurological conundrums

(Goodfellow Unit Webinar, 2020)

PHARMAC Seminars

Interactive cases, including neuromuscular and stroke – Dr Anna Ranta (36 minutes)

(PHARMAC Seminars, 2019)

Podcast

Transient Ischemic Attacks – Alan Barber(external link) Goodfellow Unit, 2017
"Professor Alan Barber talks about the diagnosis and management of transient ischemic attacks in primary care. Alan is lead neurologist for Auckland Hospital Stoke Service and holds the Neurological Foundation of New Zealand Chair in Clinical Neurology at the University of Auckland."