{"id":353325,"date":"2025-11-14T06:34:12","date_gmt":"2025-11-14T06:34:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk\/?page_id=353325"},"modified":"2025-12-17T09:37:30","modified_gmt":"2025-12-17T09:37:30","slug":"transient-ischemic-attack-tia","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk\/nursing-care\/neurological-care\/stroke\/transient-ischemic-attack\/","title":{"rendered":"Transient ischemic attack (TIA)"},"content":{"rendered":"\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tTransient ischemic attack (TIA)\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\"Transient\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\n
\n
\n \n
\n
\n\n \n \n

What is a TIA stroke?<\/h2>\n \n

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a momentary neurological dysfunction.<\/p>\n \n \n

A transient ischemic attack (TIA), which is also known as a mini stroke, is a momentary neurological dysfunction which is a result of a disruption of the blood supply to the brain. Unlike a stroke, the symptoms are only short-term and there are no lasting effects.<\/p>\n

The exact number of TIA cases is not known, as many people do not report it to their doctor due to their symptoms subsiding or the importance of a TIA not being recognised. However, it can be estimated that about 35 in 100,000 people experience a mini stroke each year in the UK.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n

\n\n
\n \t\t\t\n\t\t
<\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n Talk to our team to find out more about TIAs <\/div>\n \n\n \n \n 0000 000 0000 <\/span>\n \n \n <\/a>\n <\/span> \n\n \n \n Request a callback <\/span>\n \n \n <\/a>\n <\/span> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n
\n
\n \n
\n
\n\n \n \n

Causes of a TIA stroke<\/h2>\n \n

Most incidences of a TIA are due to a small blood clot which blocks an artery in the brain.<\/p>\n \n \n

This means that the blood cannot flow freely through it and results in the brain being starved of oxygen for a few minutes. The interruption to the blood flow means that the brain is unable to complete a number of everyday functions correctly. A TIA does not result in the same damage as a stroke because the blood clot quickly breaks up and nearby vessels are able to compensate.<\/p>\n

There are also some other reasons behind a TIA, but these are very uncommon. Conditions such as issues with blood clotting, bleeds into the brain or blood disorders have the potential to cause a mini stroke. There are certain things that could increase the risk of experiencing a transient ischemic attack:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n

\n
\n
  • \n <\/use><\/svg> High cholesterol levels <\/li>\n <\/div>\n
    \n
  • \n <\/use><\/svg> Atrial fibrillation <\/li>\n <\/div>\n
    \n
  • \n <\/use><\/svg> Diabetes <\/li>\n <\/div>\n
    \n
  • \n <\/use><\/svg> Obesity <\/li>\n <\/div>\n
    \n
  • \n <\/use><\/svg> Regular or excessive alcohol intake <\/li>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n
    \n\n
    \n \t\t\t\n\t\t
    <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
    \n
    \n \n
    \n
    \n\n \n \n

    How a blood clot forms<\/h2>\n \n

    Most incidences of a TIA are due to a small blood clot which blocks an artery in the brain.<\/p>\n \n \n

    This means that the blood cannot flow freely through it and results in the brain being starved of oxygen for a few minutes. The interruption to the blood flow means that the brain is unable to complete a number of everyday functions correctly. A TIA does not result in the same damage as a stroke because the blood clot quickly breaks up and nearby vessels are able to compensate.<\/p>\n

    There are also some other reasons behind a TIA, but these are very uncommon. Conditions such as issues with blood clotting, bleeds into the brain or blood disorders have the potential to cause a mini stroke. There are certain things that could increase the risk of experiencing a transient ischemic attack:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n

    \n\n
    \n \t\t\t\n\t\t
    <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n\n
    \n \n
    \n
    \n\n

    Is a TIA serious?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    By itself, a transient ischemic attack leaves no lasting damage to the brain, and the symptoms soon subside. However, a TIA gives the indication that you are prone to forming blood clots in your blood vessels or heart which can affect you later in life. The symptoms of a TIA usually peak in less than a minute and often completely go within an hour, and include:<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    \n
    \n
    \n \n \n
    \n \n Partial paralysis or weakness<\/span>\n <\/h5>\n \n
    \n

    Partial paralysis or sudden weakness on one side of the body. This occurs on the opposite side of the body to the affected hemisphere of the brain.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    \n \n \n
    \n \n Loss of vision<\/span>\n <\/h5>\n \n
    \n

    You may experience a sudden loss or lack of vision in one eye, which has been described by some patients as a \u201ccurtain over the eye\u201d effect<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    \n \n \n
    \n \n Confusion or aphasia<\/span>\n <\/h5>\n \n
    \n

    A TIA can cause a heightened sense of confusion, as well as aphasia \u2013 which is difficulty communicating or understanding language<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    \n \n
    \n
    \n\n \n \n

    Treatment after a mini stroke<\/h2>\n \n

    The first month after a TIA is the most crucial, so treatment is advised as soon as possible.<\/p>\n \n \n

    A scoring system is often used to evaluate the risk of stroke after a TIA. It takes into account different things like age, blood pressure and pre-existing conditions. People who receive a high score in this test, or have experienced more than one transient ischemic attack, are at the highest risk of going on to experience a stroke.<\/p>\n

    The main aim of treating a TIA is reducing the chances and risk of you having a stroke, heart attack or any further transient ischemic attacks. Medication may be introduced to lessen the chance of blood clots forming, or you may need to make simple lifestyle changes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n

    \n\n
    \n \t\t\t\n\t\t
    <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
    \n
    \n \n
    \n
    \n\n \n \n

    Reducing the risk of a stroke or a TIA<\/h2>\n \n \n \n

    Alone, a TIA is not life threatening \u2013 but it can be a sign that a stroke may follow, so naturally you want to ensure you\u2019re looking after your health. You may already have a condition which heightens the likelihood of a TIA, so it is very important to contact your GP to discuss the ways you can manage this effectively.<\/p>\n

    Here are some simple lifestyle changes you can make to lower your risk of a TIA or a stroke in the future:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n

    \n\n
    \n \t\t\t\n\t\t
    <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n\n
    \n \n
    \n\n
    \n
    \n
    \n \n \n
    \n \n Maintain a balanced diet<\/span>\n <\/h5>\n \n
    \n

    Partial paralysis or sudden weakness on one side of the body. This occurs on the opposite side of the body to the affected hemisphere of the brain.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    \n \n \n
    \n \n Loss of vision<\/span>\n <\/h5>\n \n
    \n

    You may experience a sudden loss or lack of vision in one eye, which has been described by some patients as a \u201ccurtain over the eye\u201d effect<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    \n \n \n
    \n \n Confusion or aphasia<\/span>\n <\/h5>\n \n
    \n

    A TIA can cause a heightened sense of confusion, as well as aphasia \u2013 which is difficulty communicating or understanding language<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

    \n \n
    \n
    \n\n

    Arrange stroke care today<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    A Helping Hands carer can help you to recover from a TIA and work alongside medical professionals to help you make any required lifestyle changes.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    \n
    \n
    \n
    \n
    \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n
    \n
    \n <\/use><\/svg>
    \n

    Speak to our team\u200b<\/h3>\n

    Our friendly, knowledgeable team can answer your questions and talk you through your options. We are available 7 days a week.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

    \n <\/use><\/svg>
    \n

    Book a free care assessment<\/h3>\n

    Your local Helping Hands care manager will visit you to understand your needs and preferences and discuss how we can help. We can visit you at home, in hospital or even a care home to carry out the care assessment.\u200b<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

    \n <\/use><\/svg>
    \n

    Confirm your care package<\/h3>\n

    We create a tailored care plan for you to review. Once you’ve agreed the plan, we can organise care in as little as 24 hours.\u200b<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n\n

    \n
    \n
    \n
    \n Speak to a care professional today <\/div>\n \n\n \n \n 0000 000 0000 <\/span>\n \n \n <\/a>\n <\/span> \n\n \n \n Request a callback <\/span>\n \n \n <\/a>\n <\/span> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","_glsr_average":0,"_glsr_ranking":0,"_glsr_reviews":0,"medium_featured_image":0,"small_featured_image":0,"extra_small_featured_image":0,"footnotes":""},"page_category":[],"class_list":["post-353325","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nTransient Ischemic Attack (TIA) | Helping Hands Home Care<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A transient ischemic attack, also known as a TIA or mini stroke, can be a sign that a stroke may follow. Learn more about TIAs, the causes and what steps you can take to reduce the risk.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk\/nursing-care\/neurological-care\/stroke\/transient-ischemic-attack\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Transient ischemic attack (TIA)\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A transient ischemic attack, also known as a TIA or mini stroke, can be a sign that a stroke may follow. Learn more about TIAs, the causes and what steps you can take to reduce the risk.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk\/nursing-care\/neurological-care\/stroke\/transient-ischemic-attack\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Helping Hands\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-12-17T09:37:30+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"1 minute\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk\/nursing-care\/neurological-care\/stroke\/transient-ischemic-attack\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk\/nursing-care\/neurological-care\/stroke\/transient-ischemic-attack\/\",\"name\":\"Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) | Helping Hands Home Care\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-14T06:34:12+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-12-17T09:37:30+00:00\",\"description\":\"A transient ischemic attack, also known as a TIA or mini stroke, can be a sign that a stroke may follow. Learn more about TIAs, the causes and what steps you can take to reduce the risk.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk\/nursing-care\/neurological-care\/stroke\/transient-ischemic-attack\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk\/nursing-care\/neurological-care\/stroke\/transient-ischemic-attack\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk\/nursing-care\/neurological-care\/stroke\/transient-ischemic-attack\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Transient ischemic attack (TIA)\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk\/\",\"name\":\"Helping Hands Home Care\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) | Helping Hands Home Care","description":"A transient ischemic attack, also known as a TIA or mini stroke, can be a sign that a stroke may follow. Learn more about TIAs, the causes and what steps you can take to reduce the risk.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk\/nursing-care\/neurological-care\/stroke\/transient-ischemic-attack\/","og_locale":"en_GB","og_type":"article","og_title":"Transient ischemic attack (TIA)","og_description":"A transient ischemic attack, also known as a TIA or mini stroke, can be a sign that a stroke may follow. Learn more about TIAs, the causes and what steps you can take to reduce the risk.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk\/nursing-care\/neurological-care\/stroke\/transient-ischemic-attack\/","og_site_name":"Helping Hands","article_modified_time":"2025-12-17T09:37:30+00:00","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Estimated reading time":"1 minute"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk\/nursing-care\/neurological-care\/stroke\/transient-ischemic-attack\/","url":"https:\/\/www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk\/nursing-care\/neurological-care\/stroke\/transient-ischemic-attack\/","name":"Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) | Helping Hands Home Care","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk\/#website"},"datePublished":"2025-11-14T06:34:12+00:00","dateModified":"2025-12-17T09:37:30+00:00","description":"A transient ischemic attack, also known as a TIA or mini stroke, can be a sign that a stroke may follow. Learn more about TIAs, the causes and what steps you can take to reduce the risk.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk\/nursing-care\/neurological-care\/stroke\/transient-ischemic-attack\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-GB","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk\/nursing-care\/neurological-care\/stroke\/transient-ischemic-attack\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk\/nursing-care\/neurological-care\/stroke\/transient-ischemic-attack\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Transient ischemic attack (TIA)"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk\/","name":"Helping Hands Home Care","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-GB"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/353325","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=353325"}],"version-history":[{"count":50,"href":"https:\/\/www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/353325\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":392888,"href":"https:\/\/www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/353325\/revisions\/392888"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=353325"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"page_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/page_category?post=353325"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}