What Is a TIA? Symptoms Went Away, So Why Rush to Hospital?
Explained by a neurology physician, based on the latest guidelines and research
vs 5.1% over the first year (TIAregistry)
in TIA and minor stroke patients
43.2% occurred in years 2–5
even if symptoms have gone
Short answer: A TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack), or temporary loss of blood flow to the brain — sometimes called a "mini stroke" — is when the brain briefly lacks blood, causing stroke-like symptoms such as a drooping face, weakness of the arm or leg on one side, or slurred speech, which then go away on their own, usually within 1 hour. A TIA is the most important warning sign that a real stroke may follow, and the risk is highest in the first few days. If you have these symptoms, call 1669 or go immediately to a hospital that can treat stroke, even if the symptoms have gone.
This article provides general information. Each person's diagnosis and treatment must be assessed by a physician.
In this article
1. Symptoms of a TIA
Short answer: Symptoms start suddenly, like a stroke, and then improve on their own. While they are happening, no one can tell whether they will go away. Use BE FAST to remember the warning signs:
- B — Balance Sudden unsteadiness or loss of balance (especially with any other sign on this list)
- E — Eyes Sudden blurred vision or loss of vision in one eye
- F — Face Drooping face, corner of the mouth dropping
- A — Arm Weakness or numbness of the arm or leg on one side
- S — Speech Slurred speech, unable to speak or to understand
- T — Time Note the time symptoms started, then call 1669
Numbness on one side that comes on suddenly and then disappears can also be a TIA. Do not assume it was just from lying on that side.
Symptoms going away by themselves does not mean you are safe; go to hospital immediately
2. Why it is still dangerous after symptoms go away
Short answer: Because whatever reduced blood flow to the brain is still there, such as a blood clot, a narrowed artery or an irregular heartbeat, and a real stroke may follow.
Older studies (around 1997–2003) found that after a TIA or minor stroke, the chance of stroke or heart attack was 12–20% within 3 months. The TIAregistry study (NEJM, 2016), which followed 4,789 patients in 21 countries, 78% of whom saw a stroke specialist within 24 hours, found much lower figures:
| Time after symptoms | Stroke (cumulative) |
|---|---|
| 2 days | 1.5% |
| 7 days | 2.1% |
| 90 days | 3.7% |
| 1 year | 5.1% |
These figures tell us 2 things:
- The risk is concentrated early — in the first 2 days alone, 1.5% had a stroke, compared with 5.1% over the whole year
- Rapid assessment and treatment was a shared feature of this lower-risk group (this was an observational study, so it shows an association but cannot prove a direct cause)
In the same study, about 1 in 3 TIA and minor stroke patients (33.4%) had a new brain infarct on imaging, showing that symptoms that seem minor or have improved may hide damage that cannot be seen.
Uneven smile, one arm drifting down, slurred speech = call 1669 immediately
3. What doctors do at the hospital
Short answer: If symptoms are still present, every minute counts. Some patients can be treated with clot-dissolving medicine or clot removal if they reach hospital within the first few hours. Do not wait to see if it goes away.
- Neurological examination and risk assessment, such as the ABCD² score, which considers age, blood pressure, type of symptoms, duration of symptoms and diabetes
- Brain imaging, and imaging of the neck and brain arteries
- An electrocardiogram to look for an irregular heartbeat; some patients need continuous ECG monitoring for several days
- Starting preventive treatment based on the cause. For some high-risk patients, the doctor may give 2 antiplatelet medicines together for a short period. The AHA/ASA 2021 guideline recommends that the work-up for the cause be completed or started within 48 hours.
In TIAregistry, patients with multiple brain infarcts, large-artery narrowing or an ABCD² score of 6–7 had a first-year stroke risk more than twice as high
4. After going home, the risk is not over
Short answer: A 5-year follow-up (NEJM, 2018) found a cumulative stroke rate of 9.5%, and nearly half (43.2%) occurred in years 2–5, so long-term risk factor control is needed (read about recurrent stroke and finding the cause)
- Take medicines as prescribed; do not stop on your own (read about medicines after stroke)
- Control blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol
- Quit smoking and stay physically active
- Make sure everyone at home knows the BE FAST signs
After going home, controlling blood pressure and taking medicines consistently are the heart of prevention
How KIN Can Help After the Hospital Diagnosis • The emergency phase must be handled by a hospital that can treat stroke; KIN is not an emergency room. After that:
• A neurology physician provides ongoing care alongside the hospital's plan, helping families understand test results, the cause and risk factor control, while main medicines remain with the hospital physician
• Carotid ultrasound at the Kin Charnn Vascular Center, Sukhumvit 107 (call 084-003-6655 or 065-909-2599)
• If a physician diagnoses a minor stroke with remaining symptoms, the rehabilitation team plans continued training
Consult a Physician | KIN Sukhumvit 107
Book a physician consultation in advance (not for emergencies) · Having stroke symptoms now? Call 1669
Other KIN Rehabilitation locations
Central Hotline: 02-096-4996 | Home physiotherapy 095-767-6307 | Care, nursing and equipment rental 061-881-9399 | Emergency: call 1669
Frequently Asked Questions – Answered by KIN's Medical and Multidisciplinary Team
How is a TIA different from a stroke?
The symptoms are the same, but a TIA resolves on its own and brain imaging shows no new infarct. If an infarct is found, doctors count it as a stroke (usually a minor stroke) even if symptoms have gone. Early CT may not yet show it, so a clear distinction usually needs MRI together with a physician's examination. While symptoms are happening, the two cannot be told apart by eye, so always go to hospital immediately.
The symptoms have gone. Can I wait and see a doctor tomorrow?
No. The risk is highest in the first day; go to hospital that same day.
Can a TIA happen again?
Yes, and several TIAs close together are a danger sign that needs urgent medical attention.
What is the ICD-10 code for TIA?
In the ICD-10 coding system, transient cerebral ischemic attacks are in category G45.
- Amarenco P, et al. One-Year Risk of Stroke after Transient Ischemic Attack or Minor Stroke. N Engl J Med. 2016;374(16):1533–1542
- Amarenco P, et al. Five-Year Risk of Stroke after TIA or Minor Ischemic Stroke. N Engl J Med. 2018;378(23):2182–2190
- Kleindorfer DO, et al. 2021 Guideline for the Prevention of Stroke in Patients With Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack. Stroke. 2021;52(7):e364–e467
Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Krichtha Phuengcharoen (License No. 40781), Neurology Physician | Supervised by Dr. Thongchai Chokthanomsap, Chairman of the Executive Board | Last updated: November 2026 | General health information, not individual medical advice. Main medicines and follow-up appointments remain with your own hospital physician.