Transient ischemic attack

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Endarterectomy

Transient Ischemic attack (TIA)

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is when a person has stroke-like symptoms for up to 1 - 2 hours.

A TIA is often considered a warning sign that a true stroke may happen in the future if something is not done to prevent it.

Mini stroke; TIA; Little stroke

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is caused by temporary disturbance of blood supply to an area of the brain. This results in a sudden, brief decrease in brain function. (A decrease in brain function is called a neurologic deficit.)

A TIA is different from a stroke. Unlike a stroke, a TIA does not cause brain tissue to die. The symptoms of TIAs do not last as long the symptoms of a stroke. TIAs also do not show changes to the brain on CT or MRI scans. (Strokes usually show changes on such tests.)

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The temporary loss of blood flow to the brain can be caused by:

• A blood clot within an artery of the brain
• A blood clot that travels to the brain from somewhere else in the body (for example, the heart)
• An injury to blood vessels
• Narrowing of a blood vessel in the brain or leading to the brain

For instance, the temporary disruption in blood flow could be due to a blood clot that occurs and then dissolves. The blockage breaks up quickly and dissolves.

Less common causes of TIA include:

• An irregular heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation
• Certain blood disorders, including polycythemia, sickle cell anemia, and syndromes where the blood is very thick
• Conditions that cause blood vessels problems such as fibromuscular dysplasia, systemic lupus erythematosus, and syphilis
• Inflammation of the arteries such as arteritis, polyarteritis, and granulomatous angiitis
• Spasm of the small arteries in the brain

Atherosclerosis ("hardening of the arteries") is a condition where fatty deposits occur on the inner lining of the arteries. This condition dramatically increases the risk for both TIAs and stroke. About 80 - 90% of people who have a stroke due to atherosclerosis had a TIA episode before.

Other risks for TIA include high blood pressure, heart disease, migraine headaches, smoking, diabetes, and increasing age.

Review Date: 05/09/2011
Reviewed By: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, and David R. Eltz. Previously reviewed by Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital (6/16/2010).

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).