Transient Ischemic Attacks May Be Brief But Need Serious Attention

Stroke happens when blood flow to the brain is blocked by a clot. A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a stroke that usually lasts under five minutes, and symptoms and the cause (blood clot) resolve on their own. But just because the symptoms disappear, does not mean a TIA should be ignored. That's why there's a call out to rebrand TIAs as minor strokes, as reported in The New York Times.   

It’s important to get the label correct to increase awareness, says stroke specialist Joshua Willey, MD, associate professor of neurology at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. “Transient symptoms are a neurological emergency.”

If you have a TIA, there's a 5% to 10% chance you will have a stroke in the next 90 days, especially in the first two days. People with transient neurological symptoms that last more than five minutes frequently show permanent damage on brain imaging.  

TIAs are a warning sign that a major, life-threatening stroke may be on the way. [read more]

Source: CUIMC Newsroom