A transient ischemic attack (TIA) or "mini-stoke" occurs when a blood clot interrupts blood flow to the brain. It can last for a few minutes or up to 24 hours, but, unlike a major stroke, TIAs produce no lasting visible damage and disappear quickly. TIAs are important to recognize because they signal that a future, more serious stroke may be on the way. Possibly half of all strokes are preceded by a TIA. Studies have shown that people who suffer strokes within 48 hours after experiencing a TIA often have more debilitating and potentially deadly strokes.
The TIA Center at the Forsyth Stroke & Neurosciences Institute is the region's first to provide a centrally located, dedicated center for the rapid diagnosis and treatment of patients who have had a transient ischemic attack. The TIA Center provides a "fast-track" diagnosis so that preventive treatment can begin quickly, reducing the risk of a full-fledged stroke in the future.
Through a TIA evaluation, we can identify your level of risk for stroke in the future and lower that risk by prescribing medications to help keep other blood clots from forming. We can also treat existing medical conditions such as diabetes, heart or blood pressure problems, high cholesterol or other conditions that increase the risk of stroke.
