Transient Ischemic Attack

Stroke symptoms that vanish still demand same day emergency care

Step by Step

A TIA, sometimes called a mini stroke, causes the same sudden symptoms as a stroke, such as face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty, vision loss, or balance problems, but they fully resolve, usually within minutes to hours. It is not a minor event: it is a warning that around one in five people will have a full stroke within days, with the highest risk in the first 48 hours. Call emergency services immediately even if symptoms have cleared, since assessment and treatment, such as blood thinning and investigation for narrow neck arteries, dramatically cut the risk of a major stroke. Note the exact time symptoms started and what happened. Do not drive yourself or wait for an appointment. TIAs are emergencies wearing a disguise.