What is the significance of a transient ischemic attack

The purpose of evaluation is to:. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history and do a physical examination. If a TIA is suspected, the doctor may want to do tests, such as a:. Further tests are often done to identify the cause of the TIA. If blockage of the carotid arteries is suspected, you may have tests such as:.

TIA symptoms may be due to blood clots caused by a heart problem. If heart problems are suspected, you may have tests such as a:. You may have other blood tests, such as a complete blood count CBC , chemistry screen , and prothrombin time INR based on your age and medical history.

Your doctor will use these tests to look for other causes of the TIA. If you have symptoms of a transient ischemic attack TIA , get medical help right away.

If you had symptoms of a TIA but you feel better now, you still need to see a doctor right away. A TIA is a sign that a stroke may soon follow. Prompt medical treatment may prevent a stroke. If you've had a TIA, you may need further testing and treatment after you've been checked by your doctor. If you have a high risk of stroke , you may have to stay in the hospital for treatment. Your treatment for a TIA may include taking medicines to prevent a stroke or having surgery to reopen narrow arteries.

Medicines may include aspirin, clopidogrel, dipyridamole with aspirin, dabigatran, or warfarin. If your carotid arteries are significantly narrowed, you may need a procedure to widen the arteries. This may prevent another TIA or a stroke. Your treatment will also focus on preventing another TIA or stroke.

This may include:. You may also need to make lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, eating heart-healthy foods, and being more active. For more information, see Prevention.

You can help prevent a transient ischemic attack TIA or stroke if you control risk factors and treat other medical conditions that can lead to a stroke. You can help prevent a TIA or stroke by taking steps toward a heart-healthy lifestyle.

Your doctor can help you know your risk. These are some of the common risk factors for stroke:. Home treatment is not appropriate for a transient ischemic attack TIA. If you think you are having a TIA, don't ignore the symptoms, and don't try to manage them at home.

Call or other emergency services right away. If you had symptoms of a TIA but they went away, you still need to see a doctor right away. You can care for yourself at home by adopting healthy habits that help you prevent another TIA or stroke. To learn more, see Prevention.

Your doctor will probably prescribe several medicines after you have had a transient ischemic attack TIA. Medicines to prevent blood clots are typically used, because blood clots can cause TIAs and strokes. The types of medicines that prevent clotting are:. Cholesterol-lowering and blood pressure-lowering medicines are also used to prevent TIAs and strokes. Antiplatelet medicines keep platelets in the blood from sticking together.

Anticoagulants such as warfarin for example, Coumadin prevent blood clots from forming and keep existing blood clots from getting bigger. You may need to take this type of medicine after a stroke if you have atrial fibrillation or another condition that makes you more likely to have another stroke. For more information, see the topic Atrial Fibrillation. Statins and other medicines, such as ezetimibe, lower cholesterol and the risk for a TIA or stroke.

If you have high blood pressure, your doctor may want you to take medicines to lower it. Blood pressure medicines include:. When surgery is being considered after a transient ischemic attack TIA , your age, prior overall health, and current condition are major factors in the decision. If you have serious blockage in the carotid arteries in your neck, you may need a carotid endarterectomy.

During this surgery, a surgeon removes plaque buildup in the carotid arteries. The benefits and risks of this surgery must be carefully weighed, because the surgery itself may cause a stroke. Carotid artery stenting also called carotid angioplasty and stenting is sometimes done as an alternative to surgery to prevent a transient ischemic attack TIA or stroke. In this procedure, a doctor threads a thin tube called a catheter through an artery in the groin and up to the carotid artery in your neck.

The doctor then uses a tiny balloon to enlarge the narrowed portion of the artery and places a stent to keep the artery open. The benefits and risks of this procedure must be carefully weighed, because the procedure itself may cause a stroke.

Carotid artery stenting is not as common as carotid endarterectomy , a type of surgery. A patent foramen ovale PFO is an opening in the part of the heart that separates the upper right and left chambers. This opening is normal in babies before they are born.

It typically closes a few days after birth. But in some people, it stays open. A PFO usually doesn't cause problems. But sometimes, it can lead to a blood clot that moves to the brain and causes a TIA or stroke.

If this happens, a procedure to close this opening may be done. The goal is to prevent a stroke. In this procedure, a doctor threads a thin tube called a catheter through a blood vessel in the groin and up to the heart. The doctor then uses tiny tools to close the PFO. This procedure is not an option for everyone. It is not common and is not available in all locations.

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All rights reserved. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Top of the page. Topic Overview What is a transient ischemic attack? What are the symptoms? They may include: Sudden numbness, tingling, weakness, or loss of movement in your face, arm, or leg, especially on only one side of your body.

Sudden vision changes. Sudden trouble speaking. Sudden confusion or trouble understanding simple statements. Sudden problems with walking or balance. Sudden, severe headache that is different from past headaches.

What causes a TIA? What tests do you need after a TIA? A test that uses sound to check your blood flow Doppler ultrasound. An echocardiogram echo to check your heart's shape and its blood flow. Blood tests, including a complete blood count and a fasting blood test to check for problems that could be causing your symptoms.

How is a TIA treated? How can you prevent another TIA or stroke? Treat any health problems you have Manage high blood pressure or high cholesterol by working with your doctor. Manage diabetes. Keep your blood sugar levels within a target range. If your doctor recommends that you take aspirin or a blood thinner, take it.

This can help prevent a stroke. Take your medicine exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think you are having a problem with your medicine. Get the influenza flu vaccine every year. Adopt a healthy lifestyle Don't smoke or allow others to smoke around you. When it comes to a TIA, seeking care at an emergency room is better than making an appointment with a primary care doctor, Streib said, because it can take much longer in the outpatient setting to order tests and interpret results.

For some, that might be too late to prevent a subsequent stroke. If a TIA has been confirmed on evaluation and scans, many TIA patients can be discharged home for urgent clinic follow-up within 48 to 96 hours.

We review all the brain and blood vessel scans, optimize medications that thin the blood, reduce cholesterol, control blood pressure, and order all necessary outpatient testing before any TIA patient is cleared to leave.

Patients who go home are seen in clinic within the next 48 to 96 hours to follow-up on their test results and further refine their medications. On the other hand, patients who are at high risk for a stroke stay in the hospital for additional medical or surgical treatment, such as removal of cholesterol-related blockages in the neck, a surgery known as carotid endarterectomy.

After a patient has received immediate medical attention following a TIA, Streib recommends working with a specialist to establish a long-term health plan to reduce the ongoing risk of a stroke — especially if the cause of the TIA remains unknown. Stroke specialists may use innovative treatment options and long-term testing methods. Some of these risk factors are not readily apparent and may require diagnostic testing that takes months or longer. A stroke specialist is in the best position to identify the cause and help a patient take action to prevent a stroke.

For many people, a TIA is a warning sign that a person is at higher risk of a major stroke. Health and Wellness. A TIA looks and feels like a stroke but leaves no permanent damage. Seek medical attention immediately. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Daroff RB, et al. Ischemic cerebrovascular disease. In: Bradley's Neurology in Clinical Practice. Accessed Jan. Transient ischemic attack information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Furie KL, et al. Initial evaluation and management of transient ischemic attack and minor stroke. TIA transient ischemic attack. American Stroke Association. Definition, etiology, and clinical manifestations of transient ischemic attack. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Overview of secondary prevention of ischemic stroke. Yilong W, et al. Walls RM, et al. Stroke: Hope through research. Johnston SC, et al. Clopidogrel and aspirin in acute ischemic stroke and high-risk TIA.