What is a TIA?
A person with a transient ischemic attack has a brief interruption in the blood supply to an area of the brain, which causes the brain to malfunction for a short time. The symptoms of TIA resolve within 24 hours. Having a TIA does not guarantee that you will have a stroke in the future, but it dramatically increases the risk for a stroke in the future. About 1 out of 3500 people in the US have a transient ischemic attack each year in the US. About 1 in 10 people who have a transient ischemic attack have a stroke within 3 months.

What are the symptoms of a TIA?
Symptoms of a TIA include the sudden onset of arm weakness or numbness, leg weakness or numbness, facial weakness, difficulty speaking, difficulty walking, difficulty swallowing, loss of vision, poor balance, or loss of coordination. The symptoms of TIA usually last for less than 60 minutes. A person with symptoms that last longer than 24 hours has suffered a stroke.

How does the doctor treat a TIA?
Treatment for a TIA may include oxygen therapy, intravenous fluids, and blood thinner medications.