Word parts
What it means
Sometimes called a mini-stroke. A clot or narrowed artery briefly cuts blood flow, causing stroke-like problems such as one-sided weakness or numbness, trouble speaking or loss of vision, that go away, usually within minutes to an hour. It is a warning: many people who have one go on to have a cerebrovascular accidentser-uh-broh-VAS-kyuh-ler AK-sih-dentA stroke: injury to part of the brain because a blood vessel in the brain is blocked or has burst.cerebr/o brainvascul blood vessel-ar relating toFull entry , often within days.
For the nurse
Treat new symptoms as a stroke until proven otherwise: note the time they began and get help at once, since you cannot know they will pass. Teach risk reduction: blood pressure control, stopping smoking, and taking antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs as ordered.
At a glance
| Spanish | accidente isquémico transitorio |
|---|---|
| Also written | TIA, TIAs, transient ischemic attacks |
Related terms
atrial fibrillation
An irregular heart rhythm in which the upper chambers of the heart quiver instead of beating in an organized way.
ischemia
Too little blood flow to a part of the body, so the tissue does not get enough oxygen.
atherosclerosis
A buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) inside the walls of the arteries.
cerebrovascular accident
A stroke: injury to part of the brain because a blood vessel in the brain is blocked or has burst.