Difference Between Stroke and TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack)
Stroke occurs when a blood vessel supplying the brain is blocked or ruptured, causing permanent brain damage.
TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack) is a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain, resolving within 24 hours without lasting damage.
Key Differences:
Duration: Stroke symptoms last longer than 24 hours, while TIA symptoms resolve within 24 hours (often within minutes).
Brain Damage: Stroke can cause permanent damage, while TIA does not.
Cause: Both can result from blood clots, but stroke may also involve brain bleeds.
Risk Factor: TIA is a warning sign for a future stroke.
Management of Stroke:
Emergency Care:
Call 999 immediately if stroke symptoms appear.
Perform the FAST test (Face, Arm, Speech, Time).
Urgent CT/MRI scan to determine stroke type.
Ischemic Stroke (Clot):
Thrombolysis (Alteplase) within 4.5 hours.
Mechanical thrombectomy for large clots.
Haemorrhagic Stroke (Bleed):
Blood pressure control, stop anticoagulants, consider surgery if needed.
Long-Term Care:
Medication: Antiplatelets (aspirin, clopidogrel), anticoagulants if atrial fibrillation is present (for non haemorrhagic stroke).
Risk Factor Management: Control blood pressure, cholesterol (statins), and diabetes.
Rehabilitation: Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy.
Management of TIA:
TIA is an emergency and should be assessed urgently.
Immediate Treatment:
Aspirin 300 mg daily.
ABCD² score to assess stroke risk (is done by clinicians).
Brain imaging to rule out stroke.
Prevention of Future Stroke:
Control risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol).
Anticoagulation if atrial fibrillation is present.
Lifestyle changes (quit smoking, healthy diet, exercise).
High-risk TIA cases (multiple TIAs, atrial fibrillation) require assessment within 24 hours.
Dr Geranmayeh
TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack) is a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain, resolving within 24 hours without lasting damage.
Key Differences:
Duration: Stroke symptoms last longer than 24 hours, while TIA symptoms resolve within 24 hours (often within minutes).
Brain Damage: Stroke can cause permanent damage, while TIA does not.
Cause: Both can result from blood clots, but stroke may also involve brain bleeds.
Risk Factor: TIA is a warning sign for a future stroke.
Management of Stroke:
Emergency Care:
Call 999 immediately if stroke symptoms appear.
Perform the FAST test (Face, Arm, Speech, Time).
Urgent CT/MRI scan to determine stroke type.
Ischemic Stroke (Clot):
Thrombolysis (Alteplase) within 4.5 hours.
Mechanical thrombectomy for large clots.
Haemorrhagic Stroke (Bleed):
Blood pressure control, stop anticoagulants, consider surgery if needed.
Long-Term Care:
Medication: Antiplatelets (aspirin, clopidogrel), anticoagulants if atrial fibrillation is present (for non haemorrhagic stroke).
Risk Factor Management: Control blood pressure, cholesterol (statins), and diabetes.
Rehabilitation: Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy.
Management of TIA:
TIA is an emergency and should be assessed urgently.
Immediate Treatment:
Aspirin 300 mg daily.
ABCD² score to assess stroke risk (is done by clinicians).
Brain imaging to rule out stroke.
Prevention of Future Stroke:
Control risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol).
Anticoagulation if atrial fibrillation is present.
Lifestyle changes (quit smoking, healthy diet, exercise).
High-risk TIA cases (multiple TIAs, atrial fibrillation) require assessment within 24 hours.
Dr Geranmayeh