First name*



Patient information page

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

Your GP or health professional suspects that you may have experienced a TIA. If you are deemed to be at high risk of having a stroke, you may need to be referred to a consultant at hospital who specialises in stroke or a TIA clinic for further testing within 24 hours. If you are deemed to be low risk, you will be given an appointment within seven days.

What is a TIA?

A transient ischemic attack (TIA), or 'mini-stroke', is caused by a temporary fall in the blood supply to part of the brain, leading to a lack of oxygen to the brain. This can cause symptoms that are similar to a stroke, although they do not last as long. A TIA lasts only a few minutes and symptoms are usually resolved within 24 hours.

The main signs and symptoms of a TIA can be remembered by the word FAST: Face-Arms-Speech-Time:

• Face. The face may have fallen on one side, the person may not be able to smile, or their mouth or eye may have drooped.

• Arms. The person with suspected stroke may not be able to raise both arms and keep them there, due to arm weakness or numbness. 

• Speech. There may be slurred speech. 

• Time. It is time to dial 999 immediately if you see any of these signs or symptoms.

If signs and symptoms last longer than 24 hours, it is regarded as a full stroke.

How common are TIAs?

It is difficult to know exactly how common TIAs are, as many people who have TIA symptoms dismiss the signs and do not seek medical help. Approximately one person per 1,000 in the population is thought to suffer a TIA each year. This means more than 50,000 TIAs occur in England each year. 

TIA is a medical emergency

If you have the symptoms of a further TIA, seek medical attention urgently. TIAs are a warning sign that further TIAs, or a full stroke, may occur soon. Without treatment, there is a one in 10 chance that you will have a full stroke within four weeks of having a TIA. A stroke is a serious condition and can cause permanent disability. If high risk out of hours you will be referred to Broomfield Hospital.

As TIAs are serious, it is important that they are always investigated so that appropriate treatment can be given quickly. With treatment, the risk of a further TIA or a full stroke can be greatly reduced.

What do you need to do now?

1. Your doctor has given you tablets today to prevent stroke and this may be changed or stopped in the TIA clinic depending upon results. Please take these tablets with you.

2. Do not drive until assessed and given permission by the stroke team.

3. If you experience any recurrence of symptoms while waiting for the clinic, call 999 (see FAST message above).

4. Your doctor may do some blood tests and an Electrocardiogram (ECG) and you may be asked to take a copy of the ECG to the TIA clinic.

5. You should expect a call on the phone number you have provided within 7 days if low risk and may need admission if high risk.

6. If anyone has witnessed the episode please ask them to attend the TIA clinic as well.

7. Please bring your current prescription to TIA clinic.

8. Please be aware you may be at the hospital for 4 hours.

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download