The symptoms of a TIA require immediate medical attention and are the same as those of astroke.
A TIA is only distinguishable from a stroke when the symptoms resolve by themselves.
Blood flow is restored before brain tissue actually dies.
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Symptoms go away within minutes to hours.
Blood flow to a region of the brain is interrupted long enough forbrain tissue damageto occur.
Symptoms last a day or more and may never fully improve.
With stroke, the blockage persists long enough to produce the death of brain tissue.
TIAs are, therefore, analogous tounstable angina, a condition in which transient blockages in thecoronary arteriesproducechest pain.
Anyone who has had a TIA has a high risk of having a completed stroke in the near future.
There are several factors that increase a person’s risk for developing a TIA (and a stroke).
Heart testing and various blood tests may also be ordered.
Brain imaging is also used to rule out conditions that may mimic a TIA.
Specifically, acarotid endarterectomymay be performed to surgically open and repair the artery if a significant blockage is found.
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