TIA - transient ischemic (neurological) attacks - are short lived (less than 24 hrs) attacks in which the patient may become dizzy, have a change in vision, become unsteady, have weakness or numbness of the arms and legs and may partially lose consciousness. These attacks are caused by hardening of the arteries to the brain, The main arteries involved are the carotids in the neck.
A study was done to see if TIAs were a warning sign of future strokes or dementia.
The study showed that such patients are at increased risk and the treating physician should increase efforts to lower the risk
Bos MJ, van Rijn MJ, Witteman JC, Hofman A, Koudstaal PJ, Breteler MM. Incidence and prognosis of transient neurological attacks. JAMA 2007;298(24):2877-2885.
