A TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack) or "mini stroke" is a temporary disruption in the blood supply to part of the brain, caused by a temporary clot in the brain. The symptoms of a TIA are the same as those of a stroke, but they only last for a few minutes or hours. The main symptoms of stroke can be remembered with the word FAST:
- Face – the face may have dropped on one side, the person may not be able to smile, or their mouth or eye may have drooped.
- Arms – the person may not be able to lift both arms and keep them there, because of weakness or numbness in one arm.
- Speech – their speech may be slurred or garbled, or the person may not be able to talk at all.
- Time – its time to call 999 immediately if you see any of these signs or symptoms.
Its important to call 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance if you or someone else has symptoms of a TIA or stroke, even if the symptoms disappear while waiting for an ambulance to arrive. 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.
