TIA: What You Should Know if Your Parent Is at Risk for a Stroke

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) -- also called a "ministroke" -- is a brief episode of stroke symptoms. Unlike an actual stroke, a TIA doesn't result in serious brain damage and the symptoms clear up completely. The official definition of a TIA is an episode of stroke symptoms that disappear within 24 hours, but most last for less than ten minutes.

If your parents are at risk for a stroke, it's important to watch out for the symptoms of a stroke or TIA. Although it may be tempting to ignore a TIA once the symptoms disappear, the attack is a warning sign that a full-blown stroke may be on the horizon. In fact, one out of three people who experience a TIA will go on to have an actual stroke.

Ischemic strokes and TIAs occur when a vessel carrying blood to the brain becomes blocked, causing the blood flow to a particular area to slow or stop. This usually happens in one of three ways:

• A blood clot forms in a blood vessel in the brain and blocks the vessel.

• A blood clot that formed elsewhere in the body breaks loose and travels to the brain, blocking a vessel.

• A major artery carrying blood to the brain, such as a carotid artery, becomes blocked.

In a TIA, the symptoms disappear because the blockage is cleared before the brain suffers serious, permanent damage. But even though the symptoms don't linger, some brain injury may have occurred. When a person has multiple small strokes, the damage may add up to vascular dementia: a progressive loss of memory, judgment, and the ability to think and communicate. That's why it's so important that TIAs be taken seriously and treated appropriately.

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What are the symptoms of TIA?

The symptoms of TIA and ischemic stroke are the same. As with a stroke, the symptoms depend on the area of the brain affected. Your parent probably won't experience all of the symptoms associated with a TIA. And even if your parent had a TIA or stroke earlier, a second TIA -- or an attack in your other parent -- might not cause the same symptoms.

Here's a list of the warning signs of a TIA or ischemic stroke. For more detailed information about stroke, see How to Tell if Your Parent Is Having a Stroke: Signs to Look Out for and What to Do. If you notice any of these signs, call 911 right away:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg -- especially on one side of the body

• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding

• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes

• Sudden difficulty walking, loss of balance or coordination, dizziness

Make a note of the exact time when the symptoms began. This information can be extremely helpful to the emergency room personnel.

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What should I do if I think my parent is having or had a TIA?

If your parent experiences any of the above symptoms for even the briefest amount of time, call 911 immediately.

Even if you suspect the symptoms are caused by a TIA rather than a stroke, don't wait to see whether the symptoms go away. If it's a stroke, your parent needs emergency medical care right away. If it's a TIA, the doctor needs to evaluate your parent, treat the cause of the TIA, and then set up a plan to prevent a future stroke.

Your parent may not want to seek treatment for a TIA, especially if the symptoms disappeared quickly. He may brush it off as aches and pains, hunger, fatigue, or just old age. But even if your parent is very persuasive, don't let him talk you out of seeking medical attention.

If your parent didn't tell you about the TIA right away or he managed to persuade you not to call 911, it's not too late. Call the doctor as soon as possible to make sure your parent gets the treatment he needs.

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How will the doctor help my parent?

The doctor will focus on two separate issues: First, what caused the episode, and second, how to treat the cause and prevent future strokes.

1. Determine the cause of the TIA. Whether your parent goes to the emergency room or schedules an appointment after the TIA, the doctor will probably do one or more of the following:

• Check your parent's blood pressure to make sure it's within normal range

2. Treat the cause and prevent future strokes. The type of treatment the doctor recommends will depend on the cause of your parent's TIA. The doctor may prescribe medication to control blood pressure, lower cholesterol, or slow blood clotting. If tests reveal a blockage in the carotid artery, your parent may need to undergo a procedure to remove the blockage or increase blood flow.

Regardless of how the TIA is treated, your parent will need to take steps to prevent a future stroke. The doctor will help you and your parent come up with a plan to reduce the risk. For other practical tips, see Ten Ways to Help Your Parent Prevent a Stroke.

Although the possibility of a stroke may leave you feeling overwhelmed and frightened, there's actually a bright side: You and your parent have been given the gift of a wake-up call. By seeking medical advice, getting the appropriate treatment, and making lifestyle changes, your parent may be able to avoid a serious stroke. And if your parent hasn't had a TIA but is at risk for stroke, you'll know what to look out for and what to do if it happens.