Transient ischemic attack

Mini-stroke, mild stroke

Neurology, Vascular surgery

Survival rate ~ 91% (to hospital discharge) 67.2% (five years)[1]

(painless, temporary loss of vision)

Amaurosis fugax

One-sided

facial droop

One-sided motor weakness

(double vision)

Diplopia

Problems with balance and spatial orientation or dizziness

Visual field deficits, such as or monocular blindness[6]

homonymous hemianopsia

Sensory deficits in one or more limbs and of the face

[6]

Loss of ability to understand or express speech ()[6]

aphasia

Difficulty with articulation of speech ()[6]

dysarthria

Unsteady gait

[6]

Difficulties with swallowing ()[6]

dysphagia

Avoiding

smoking

Cutting down on fats to help reduce the amount of plaque buildup

Eating a healthy diet including plenty of fruits and vegetables

Limiting in the diet, thereby reducing blood pressure

sodium

Exercising regularly

Moderating intake of , stimulants, sympathomimetics, etc.

alcohol

Maintaining a healthy weight

Although there is a lack of robust studies demonstrating the efficacy of lifestyle changes in preventing TIA, many medical professionals recommend them.[18] These include:


In addition, it is important to control any underlying medical conditions that may increase the risk of stroke or TIA, including:[18]

Prognosis[edit]

Without treatment, the risk of an ischemic stroke in the three months after a TIA is about 20% with the greatest risk occurring within two days of the TIA.[6] Other sources cite that 10% of TIAs will develop into a stroke within 90 days, half of which will occur in the first two days following the TIA.[36] Treatment and preventative measures after a TIA (for example treating elevated blood pressure) can reduce the subsequent risk of an ischemic stroke by about 80%.[6] The risk of a stroke occurring after a TIA can be predicted using the ABCD² score. One limitation of the ABCD² score is that it does not reliably predict the level of carotid artery stenosis, which is a major cause of stroke in TIA patients. The patient's age is the most reliable risk factor in predicting any level of carotid stenosis in transient ischemic attack.[37] The ABCD2 score is no longer recommended for triage (to decide between outpatient management versus hospital admission) of those with a suspected TIA due to these limitations.[6]

Epidemiology[edit]

With the difficulty in diagnosing a TIA due to its nonspecific symptoms of neurologic dysfunction at presentation and a differential including many mimics, the exact incidence of the disease is unclear. It is currently estimated to have an incidence of approximately 200,000 to 500,000 cases per year in the US according to the American Heart Association.[3] TIA incidence trends similarly to stroke, such that incidence varies with age, gender, and different race/ethnicity populations.[3][38][5] Associated risk factors include age greater than or equal to 60, blood pressure greater than or equal to 140 systolic or 90 diastolic, and comorbid diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and atrial fibrillation. It is thought that approximately 15 to 30 percent of strokes have a preceding TIA episode associated.[5][8][39]