Stroke and Transient ischemic attack (TIA): What’s the difference?

Louis Nkengakah

1 year ago

Stroke and Transient ischemic attack (TIA): What’s the difference? Many of us are familiar with a “Stroke” but what about the TIA? is it any different from a Stroke? Read this short lesson note to find out more about these different states of health.

What is a stroke?

A Stroke (AVC en Français) is a sudden disruption of blood circulation in the brain, that is to say, the flow of blood that provides it with oxygen. In 80% of cases, a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is the result of the obstruction of a blood vessel by a clot (ischemic stroke). Less frequently (20% of cases), it is caused by the rupture of a vessel, we then speak of cerebral haemorrhage (hemorrhagic stroke).

Stroke is also called “cerebral attack” or even “cerebral infarction”. In the case of a stroke, the symptoms persist and a cerebral lesion is most often visible on radiological examinations (scanner, magnetic resonance imaging).

And What about the Transient ischemic attack (TIA)?

A brief stroke-like attack that, although resolved within minutes or hours, still requires immediate medical attention to distinguish it from a true stroke. A transient ischemic attack can be a sign of a future stroke. Symptoms are a weakness on one side of the body and problems with vision and speech. These are transient and often resolved within 24 hours. Treatment includes taking medication, surgery, and adopting a healthier lifestyle.

Possible medical treatment
Requires a medical diagnosis
Often requires laboratory or imaging tests
Short term: symptoms disappear within a few days or weeks
Critical: Urgent Care Required

Affected individuals may experience the following symptoms:

Muscular: difficulty walking, weakness on one side of the body, muscle weakness, or problems with coordination
Whole body: feeling weak, dizzy or dizzy
Voice: slurred speech or altered voice
Sight: loss of vision or blurred vision
Face: numbness or muscle weakness
Other common symptoms: Mental confusion, difficulty swallowing, or dulled sense of touch