Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) Discharge Information
What is transient ischemic attack (TIA)?
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a brief loss in brain function. It happens when the brain does not get enough blood because a blood vessel is blocked for a short time. The blockage may be caused by a sudden narrowing of the blood vessels in the brain, a clot that travels from another part of the body to the brain or neck, or a spasm of an artery leading to the brain.
Symptoms of TIA and stroke are the same, except TIA symptoms usually go away in a few minutes, and always within 24 hours. A TIA is different from a stroke because it does not cause any lasting damage to the brain.
If you have had a TIA, you have a high risk of having a stroke. Do not ignore symptoms of a TIA or stroke. Get emergency medical care to help prevent a stroke.
How can I take care of myself when I go home?
How long it takes to get better depends on the cause of your TIA, your treatment, how well you recover, your overall health, and any complications you may have.
Management
- Your provider will give you a list of your medicines when you leave the hospital.
- Know your medicines. Know what they look like, how much you should take each time, how often you should take them, and why you take each one.
- Take your medicines exactly as your provider tells you to.
- Carry a list of your medicines in your wallet or purse. Include any nonprescription medicines and supplements on the list.
- Your provider may prescribe medicines to:
- Prevent blood clots
- Control cholesterol levels
- Treat other conditions that may have helped cause the TIA, such as high blood pressure or diabetes
Appointments
- Follow your provider’s instructions for follow-up appointments.
- Keep appointments for all routine testing you may need.
- Talk with your provider about any questions or fears you have.
Diet, Exercise, and Other Lifestyle Changes
- Follow the treatment plan your healthcare provider prescribes.
- Get plenty of rest while you’re recovering. Try to get at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night.
- You will probably need to make changes in some of the foods you eat. Ask your provider about the benefits of talking to a dietician to learn what you need in a healthy diet.
- Ask your healthcare provider if there are any foods or medicines you should avoid.
- Drink enough fluids to keep your urine light yellow in color, unless you are told to limit fluids.
- Lose weight if you need to and keep a healthy weight.
- Exercise as your provider recommends.
- Don’t smoke. Smoking can worsen poor blood circulation.
- If you have diabetes, check and control your blood sugar.
- Find ways to make your life less stressful.
Call emergency medical services or 911:
The acronym FAST describes stroke symptoms and needed action. The symptoms come on FAST and may include:
- Face/Head:
- Weakness, numbness, drooping, tingling of face (may just be on one side)
- Trouble seeing (one or both eyes)
- Severe headache
- Trouble thinking
- Trouble swallowing
- Feeling dizzy along with one or more of the symptoms listed above
- Arm/Leg:
- Weakness, numbness, or tingling in your arm, or leg (usually on just one side of your body)
- Trouble walking, moving your arm or leg
- Speech: Trouble talking or understanding speech
- Time: Call 911 for emergency help right away if you have symptoms of a stroke.
You should also call emergency medical services or 911 if you have new or worsening:
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Seizure or convulsion
If you have any of these symptoms, do not drive yourself.
Call your healthcare provider if you have new or worsening:
- Loss of balance or coordination
- Confusion
- Personality changes
- Dizziness
- Headache that will not go away after treatment
Last modified: 2014-04-30
Last reviewed: 2014-04-24
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) Discharge Information: References
Daroff, R. B. (2012). Neurology in clinical practice (6th ed.). Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders.
Braunwald, E., & Bonow, R. O. (2012). Braunwald’s heart disease: a textbook of cardiovascular medicine (9th ed.). Philadelphia: Saunders.
Furie, K., et al. (2011). Guidelines for the prevention of stroke in patients with stroke or transient ischemic attack: A guideline for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Stroke, 42. Retrieved from http://stroke.ahajournals.org/content/42/1/227.full.pdf.
Miller, E & Summers, D (2014) Update on Transient Ischemic Attack Nursing Care. Stroke. 2014;45:e71-e73; doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.114.005320