TIA stands for Transient Ischemic Attack, which is a temporary period of symptoms similar to those of a stroke. It occurs when there is a temporary disruption in the blood supply to part of the brain, resulting in a lack of oxygen to the brain cells. The symptoms of a TIA usually last only a few minutes and most signs and symptoms disappear within an hour, although they may persist for up to 24 hours. The signs and symptoms of a TIA resemble those found early in a stroke and may include sudden onset of:

• Weakness, numbness or paralysis in the face, arm or leg, typically on one side of the body
• Slurred or garbled speech or difficulty understanding others
• Blindness in one or both eyes or double vision
• Vertigo or loss of balance or coordination
• Confusion or difficulty in talking or understanding speech
• Loss of balance and coordination

A TIA is a warning sign that you may be at risk of having a full stroke in the near future, and an assessment can help doctors determine the best way to reduce the chances of that happening. Even if the symptoms disappear, it’s important to phone 999 immediately and have an assessment at the hospital. A TIA has the same origins as that of an ischemic stroke, the most common type of stroke. In an ischemic stroke, a clot blocks the blood supply to part of the brain. In a TIA, unlike a stroke, the blockage is brief, and there is no permanent damage. The underlying cause of a TIA often is a buildup of cholesterol-containing fatty deposits called plaques (atherosclerosis) in an artery or one of its branches that supplies oxygen and nutrients to the brain. Certain things can increase your chances of having a TIA, including smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol levels, regularly drinking an excessive amount of alcohol, having a type of irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation, having diabetes, and being over 55 years of age and people of Asian, African or Caribbean descent.