TIA | Heart and Stroke Foundation Skip to content Home, Heart & Stroke logo Donate Emergency signs CPR training For professionals Search Clear Search Search Cancel Donate Back Heart disease Heart disease Signs of a heart attack Heart conditions (A-Z) Tests (A-Z) Treatments Risk and prevention Recovery and support Knowing your risks could save your life. Use our Risk Screen tool for your personalized profile and action plan to manage your risks for heart disease and stroke. Cardiac arrest Stroke Stroke Signs of stroke Treatments Risk and prevention Recovery and support Beat your risks Knowing your risks could save your life. Try our Risk Screen tool to get your personalized risk profile and action plan to protect your brain health. Healthy living Healthy living Recipes Healthy eating Healthy weight Stay active Reduce stress Healthy kids Knowing your risks could save your life. Use our Risk Screen tool for your personalized profile and action plan to manage your risks for heart disease and stroke. Sign up for our Healthline newsletter Stay informed and inspired with expert healthy living tips, inspiring stories, research updates and more. What we do What we do Research Where every dollar goes Our story Our impact Equity, diversity & inclusion Indigenous health Fund the next breakthrough. Donate now. Choose the giving option that’s best for you to save lives in every community in Canada. Equity, diversity & inclusion - better outcomes for all. How you can help How you can help Ways to give Events Legacy giving Give in memory Volunteer Advocate Learn CPR Donate to beat heart disease and stroke Choose the giving option that’s best for you to save lives in every community in Canada. Leave your legacy for future generations Giving in Memory Honour your loved one by giving in memory Join Jump Rope for Heart Join our Social Media Challenge community Women Women Our strategy The research Risk factors Stories Take action Beat your risks New Risk Screen tool 90% of women are at risk for heart disease and stroke. Use our Risk Screen tool to know and manage your unique risks. Emergency signs CPR training For professionals Donate Franais Home Stroke What is it? Types of stroke TIA Transient ischemic attack Also called TIA or mini stroke Share on facebook Tweet about it Email to a loved one Print What is a TIA? A transient ischemic attack – or mini stroke – is caused by a small clot that briefly blocks an artery. TIA and minor ischemic stroke fall along a continuum. TIA symptoms disappear completely within 24 hours (usually within one hour). If any symptoms still exist after 24 hours, then it would be considered a stroke, not a TIA. A TIA can be a warning of a future stroke. It is a medical emergency. Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number immediately, do not wait. What are the symptoms of a TIA? The word FAST is an easy way to recognize the symptoms of a TIA or a stroke. If you think you are having a TIA or a stroke, call 9-1-1. A TIA is an important warning that a more serious stroke may occur soon. If you are not admitted to a hospital, ask when you will be seen at a stroke prevention clinic and how that is arranged. What causes a TIA? The most common causes of a TIA are a blood clot or a buildup of plaque in your arteries. Both reduce blood flow to your brain. What are the risk factors for a TIA? Things you cannot change sex age family and medical history South Asian and African heritage Indigenous heritage personal circumstances and environmental factors such as access to healthy food, safe drinking water, health services and social services Medical conditions high blood pressure (hypertension) atrial fibrillation (Afib) diabetes coronary artery disease high cholesterol sleep apnea pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy) pregnancy other medical conditions such as cancer or heart disease Lifestyle risk factors unhealthy diet too much salt not enough exercise unhealthy weight smoking and vaping heavy or binge drinking stress recreational drug use use of oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy (especially if high in estrogen) Beat stroke. Join the fight to end heart disease and stroke. Donate How can you lower your risk of a TIA? The good news is that healthy lifestyle habits can protect your health and lower your risk of stroke and TIA. These habits will help you to keep a healthy weight, prevent or manage high blood pressure, manage stress and much more. Talk to your doctor about a stroke prevention plan. Discuss treating any medical conditions that may affect your risk and which lifestyle changes would be best for you. Everyday choices to lower your risk Take your medications as prescribed – managing your medications for medical risks will help you to avoid a stroke or TIA. Make healthy food choices – eat more vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Eat mostly homemade meals using whole, natural foods. Limit salt, sugar and processed food (like canned soup, cold cuts, frozen meals). Be more active – aim for 150 minutes a week of physical activity, made up of 10-minute bouts (or more) 4-7 days per week. Look for chances to be more active in your daily routine, such as brisk walking or taking the stairs instead of an escalator. Before starting a physical activity program, speak to your healthcare provider about a plan that is right for you. Quit smoking and vaping – this is one of the best things you can do to lower your risk. Quitting is hard. Ask for help if you need it by calling 1-866-366-3667. Drink less alcohol – the guidelines for moderate drinking are fewer than 10 drinks a week for women and 15 drinks a week for men with daily limits of 2 drinks for women and 3 for men. Talk to your healthcare providers if you would like to find a program to help with alcohol problems. Quit recreational drug use – talk to your healthcare providers if you need help to quit. Manage stress – understand what causes your stress. Are there ways to reduce or eliminate your stressors? Do things that relax you, like listening to music. When talking to your doctor about your health, include your mental health in the conversation. Follow these steps Know the signs. Call 9-1-1 if you experience them. Learn about the everyday choices that you can make to reduce your risk factors. Make a personal prevention plan. Keep the big picture in mind and remember what is important to you. To be able to travel? To be able to play with your grandchildren? What is your prevention plan? Talk to your healthcare provider about your personal risk factors and the most beneficial lifestyle changes for you to make. My risk factors My doctor’s recommendation My plan High blood pressure No medications, manage through exercise and diet. Walk home from work at least twice a week. Bring homemade lunch 3 times per week. Recovery after a TIA It’s normal to feel worried or afraid after a TIA. Find someone you can turn to for emotional support like a family member, friend, doctor, mental health worker or support group. Talking about your challenges and feelings could be an important part of your journey to recovery. The recovery and support section of this website is full of practical advice and tips to support you on your recovery journey. Join Heart & Stroke’s Community of Survivors or Care Supporters’ Community support groups. Find peer support resources here. Download or order our free book Your Stroke Journey. Sign up for the Heart & Stroke recovery newsletter. Get the latest research news and information, with tips and strategies to help you manage your recovery. Looking for support? Find useful services and connect with others living with heart disease or stroke. Services and resources The power of community Stay informed and inspired! Get the latest research and health tips. Sign up for our newsletter Healthline, and other updates tailored just for you. Your first newsletter should arrive in the next 7-10 days. Your first name Please enter a first name. Your last name Please enter a last name. Your email address Please enter a valid email address. 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