What should you know about TIA transient ischaemic attack?

A TIA happens when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted briefly. Possible symptoms include facial drooping, weakness or numbness on one side, difficulty speaking or understanding, sudden vision change, dizziness, or loss of balance. Symptoms can disappear, but the event may signal a risk of stroke. Conditions such as atrial fibrillation and hypertension can increase risk and need review. A TIA is diagnosed from the history and examination, not simply because symptoms have stopped.

If symptoms are happening now, call emergency services and note when they started or when the person was last well. Do not drive to hospital. Even if the symptoms have resolved, arrange emergency medical assessment rather than waiting for a routine appointment. Take a list of medicines and mention previous episodes, smoking, diabetes, heart rhythm problems, or high blood pressure. Do not stop prescribed medicines unless a clinician tells you to.

Treat sudden weakness, facial asymmetry, speech difficulty, new confusion, loss of vision, severe imbalance, or numbness as an emergency. Call immediately if symptoms return or worsen. Hospital assessment may include a neurological examination, blood tests, heart-rhythm monitoring, brain or blood-vessel imaging, and a plan to reduce future risk. Prompt review matters even when the person looks normal again.

Ask whether the episode fits a TIA, what tests are needed, whether an irregular heart rhythm or blood pressure contributed, and which medicines can reduce clot or vessel risk. Ask how to monitor blood pressure and when follow-up should occur.