Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): Symptoms, Causes & What to Do

Symptoms of a transient ischemic attack (TIA) usually come on suddenly and may include:

1) Sudden weakness or numbness of face, arm or leg—often on one side of the body.

2) Difficulty speaking, understanding speech, or reading — also known as aphasia.

3) Problems seeing from one or both eyes, for instance blurriness, temporary loss of vision, or blind spots.

4) Dizziness, unsteadiness, or a sudden feeling of spinning (vertigo).

5) Trouble walking, maintaining balance, or coordinating movement.

6) Confusion or memory loss, or a sudden change in mental state.

TIAs can mimic the symptoms of a stroke. But it's important to note that unlike strokes, TIA symptoms typically last only a few minutes and don't cause permanent brain damage. Nevertheless, TIAs are a warning that you're at an increased risk of stroke, so it's important to seek medical attention if you've had any of the above symptoms.