Stroke Health Center

A transient ischemic attack is a very brief period in which the patient experiences symptoms of a stroke.

This type of stroke is also known as a “mini-stroke.” It is caused by a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain. The difference between this type of stroke and an ischemic attack is that the transient ischemic attack is temporary — most last less than five minutes, according to the American Stroke Association. They don’t usually cause permanent brain damage.

Patients should not respond to transient ischemic attacks any differently than they would respond to a stroke. They should seek medical care — even if their symptoms go away. These mini-strokes can signal more serious strokes down the road. The American Stroke Association reports that about one-third of people who have a mini-stroke have a stroke within a year of the initial attack.