What it is
Anyone who may have had a TIA should be assessed urgently, ideally within 24 hours.
Treatment aims to prevent a stroke and may include medicines to prevent clots and lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and sometimes surgery on a narrowed neck artery.
Common signs
- Face drooping on one side
- Weakness or numbness in one arm or leg
- Slurred speech or difficulty understanding
- Sudden loss of vision or double vision
- Sudden dizziness or loss of balance
How it is usually diagnosed
- Urgent assessment by a specialist
- Brain scan
- ECG and blood tests
- Ultrasound of the neck arteries
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- TIA clinic letters
- Brain and neck scan reports
- ECG results
- Medicine lists
- Blood pressure and cholesterol results
Questions to ask your doctor
- What caused the TIA?
- Which medicines do I need to prevent a stroke?
- Can I drive?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Any signs of a stroke, even if they go away: call 112 immediately
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.