Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) Symptoms

The symptoms of stroke and TIA are the same and depend upon the particular region of the brain that is affected. But while a stroke is permanent, TIAs by definition resolve on their own.

• Neurologic deficits appear suddenly and can affect the ability to move or feel on one side of the body.
  
  
• Speech and vision can be affected.
  
  
• The affected person may experience confusion, difficulty saying words, or the inability to follow commands.

Because the brain is a large organ, the whole side of a body doesn't need to be affected. It may be limited to an arm or leg or part of the face. The deficits are also grouped based on the anatomy of the brain. As an example, loss of speech (aphasia) is associated with weakness or numbness on the right side of the body, since speech is controlled by the left of the brain. These symptoms are associated with problems in the anterior circulation from the carotid arteries.

If the cerebellum is affected because of issues with the vertebral arteries, the symptoms are much different. Symptoms of posterior circulation stroke or cerebrovascular accident include:

• dizziness,
  
  
• loss of balance and coordination, and
  
  
• trouble walking.

Drop attacks, in which the patient falls suddenly without warning, with or without losing consciousness, occur as a result of a TIA to the base of the brain.

Amaurosis Fugax is a specific type of TIA where there is sudden loss of vision in one eye that resolves spontaneously. It occurs when debris from the carotid artery on the same side occludes one of the ophthalmic arteries and stops blood supply to the retina (the nerve complex in the back of the eye that interprets light).