A blood clot moving to an artery that supplies the brain from another part of the body, most commonly from the heart, also may cause a TIA. Plaques can decrease the blood flow through an artery or lead to the development of a clot. The underlying cause of a TIA often is a buildup of cholesterol-containing fatty deposits called plaques (atherosclerosis) in an artery or one of its branches that supplies oxygen and nutrients to the brain. In a TIA, unlike a stroke, the blockage is brief, and there is no permanent damage. In an ischemic stroke, a clot blocks the blood supply to part of the brain. This leads to memory loss, confusion, and other signs of dementia.A TIA has the same origins as that of an ischemic stroke, the most common type of stroke. That causes damage to areas of the brain associated with learning, memory, and language. When the blood flow to the brain is blocked, brain cells don’t get oxygen and nutrients. This type of dementia usually affects people aged 60 to 75 and is more common in men than women.Įven though TIAs can be unnoticeably small, the damage to the brain adds up over time. Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia and is caused by reduced blood flow to the brain – usually from a stroke or a series of strokes. In fact, nearly 20% of people people who have a suspected TIA will have a stroke within 90 days. Mini strokes usually don’t cause permanent brain damage, but they’re a serious warning sign that a major stroke will happen in the future. It’s a sign of major stroke in the near future

That blocks blood flow for a short period of time – often caused by plaque build-up.Ī TIA is a warning of two serious health conditionsġ. It could also be caused by a blood clot that travels to the brain and blocks a blood vessel there.Ī third common cause is the narrowing of smaller blood vessels in the brain.

Confusion, trouble speaking, difficulty understanding speechĪ TIA is usually caused by low blood flow at a narrow part of a major artery that carries blood to the brain, like the carotid artery.

Numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body.

You won’t be able to tell if these symptoms are from a TIA or a major stroke, so if your older adult has these symptoms, immediately call 911 or go to the emergency room.

Most symptoms disappear within an hour, but could last for up to 24 hours. Symptoms of a TIA are like typical stroke symptoms, but don’t last as long. It’s basically a stroke that only lasts for a few minutes. During a mini stroke, the blood supply to the brain is briefly blocked.

After effects mini stroke symptoms