Ask A Doctor: What Is The Major Complication Associated With A Tia?

Transient Ischemic Attack image

Expert opinion from Shobha S Reddy

MBBS, Masters in Diabetology, General Practitioner & Diabetologist · 15 years of experience · India

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) is a condition where blood flow to the brain gets cut off for a short time. TIAs usually don’t cause lasting damage but should be treated as an emergency because it could be a warning sign of a major brain stroke. Clots that block blood vessels build up a fatty, waxy substance called atherosclerotic plaque which gets dislodged from the blood vessel wall and gets stuck somewhere, and if it happens to be an artery supplying blood to the brain then the person can develop TIA. Symptoms of stroke usually last for 24 hours but can go away in an hour. Risk factors include Obesity, DM, hypertension, high cholesterol, smoking, alcohol consumption, someone taking birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy. The major complication of TIA is it can cause major brain stroke if not diagnosed or treated promptly and early.

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Expert opinion from Marcelle Freire

Doctor of Medicine · 3 years of experience · Brazil

A transient ischemic attack is a transient, self-limiting episode of neurological dysfunction caused by interruption of cerebral blood flow, without the death of the affected tissue. In simpler terms, TIA can be defined as a stroke, even with the same symptoms, but which resolves quickly and spontaneously, without leaving sequelae or permanent brain damage. It can be caused by blood clots or low brain flow. Its main complication is that people who have already suffered a TIA episode have a higher risk of developing a stroke in the future, a risk that is higher in the first days after the TIA.

Expert opinion from Ilya Aleksandrovskiy

M.D., MBA · 5 years of experience · USA

Complication associated with transient ischemic attack include, *Stroke *myocardial infarction.

Disclaimer: This is for information purpose only, and should not be considered as a substitute for medical expertise. These are opinions from an external panel of individual doctors, and not to be considered as opinion of Microsoft. Please seek professional help regarding any health conditions or concerns.