Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): Symptoms, FAST Action, and Urgency
Common TIA Symptoms (Sudden Onset)
- Unilateral weakness/numbness (face, arm, leg)
- Speech difficulty (slurring, aphasia)
- Monocular or binocular vision loss / diplopia
- Vertigo, ataxia, imbalance
- Confusion, amnesia
- Facial droop
- Dysphagia
FAST Mnemonic
| Letter | Check |
|---|---|
| F | Face drooping (ask to smile) |
| A | Arm weakness (raise both arms) |
| S | Speech difficulty (repeat a phrase) |
| T | Time to call emergency services (911/112) |
Critical Points
- Symptoms typically resolve within minutes to hours (by definition <24 hrs).
- TIA is a medical emergency—10–20% risk of stroke within 90 days, highest in first 48 hours.
- Immediate evaluation (MRI/DWI, carotid imaging, ECG, labs) guides secondary prevention (antiplatelets, statins, BP control, carotid endarterectomy if indicated).
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