Stroke Forum - What causes transitory ischemic attack (TIA)?

Conditions and Diseases > Stroke Forum > What causes transitory ischemic attack (TIA)?

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Q: What causes transitory ischemic attack (TIA)?

asked by: DoctorQuestion on February 21st, 2007

My symptoms are an immediate feeling of being drained (like a body shutdown), followed by slight slurring of speech, feeling of heaviness in all limbs and then mainly down the left side. My foot feels as though it is made of lead although I can move it.
These happen with no warning and last for exactly the same amount of time (ie about 4mins) and have exactly the same symptoms each time. I have no blurred vision and still have strength in all limbs but dont feel as if I have. I can speak (however slowly) and can type (tried that today)I have had an ECG fine, a Carotid ultrasound which although showed a small blockage, blood was flowing easily through it. The doctors thought they were TIA's but now after so many with no effect on me afterwards are not sure. All the incidents of this seem to coincide with a lack of food. (more than 12 hours) hence their current diagnosis.
My blood pressue has been slightly high (mostly sits at 150/80) hence ace inhibitor. What do you think it could be?

Replies(2)

Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov , MD

replied on March 15th, 2007

Stroke Answer A2434

According to the symptoms you report (“immediately feeling drained”, “slight slurring of speech”, “feeling of heaviness in all limbs”) and given that they that last for about 4 minutes... you could be experiencing transitory ischemic attack (TIA). TIA is due to a temporary stop in blood flow to a brain artery. This stop in blood flow is also called "ischemia". Ischemia is caused by blood clots, or thromboembolus, that enter the brain's circulation from another part of the body such as the carotid arteries or heart chambers. Symptoms of ischemia depend upon the location of the obstructed artery. Ischemia is transitory and symptoms disappear because the blood clot dissolves quickly. That’s why there are no permanent brain damages. TIA is diagnosed according to the temporary neurological symptoms and lack of brain damage (infarct or hemorrhage).
Hypoglycemia is a less likely reason for the symptoms because the consciousness in your case was not affected and you remember can describe the attacks.
Syncope (hypotension) is also less possible as a cause for the symptoms because the consciousness wasn’t affected.

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