You are receiving this leaflet because the healthcare professional you have seen thinks you may have had a TIA.

What is TIA?

A transient ischaemic attack is also referred to as a TIA or a mini-stroke.

A TIA is caused when the blood supply to part of your brain is cut off for a short time. The blood flow starts again by itself without the need for treatment.

The symptoms of a TIA disappear within 24 hours – often within a few minutes or hours.

Signs of a TIA or stroke include:
  • The word FAST (face, arm, speech) can help you to remember the most common signs of a TIA.
  • Sudden droop to one side of your face
  • Sudden weakness to arm and/or leg (usually on the same side of the body)
  • Sudden changes to your speech slurred or jumbled up words
There can also be other symptoms such as:
  • Sudden changes to your vision
  • Losing your balance/feeling very dizzy

A TIA does not usually cause any permanent damage. However if you have:

  • Recurrent symptoms
  • Or new symptoms: weakness to the face, arms, legs or difficulty speaking or understanding what others are saying

You need to return to A&E as a matter of urgency or phone 999.

What happens next?

You will be contacted by the TIA clinic at Carlisle; usually the next working day after being seen at A&E, to arrange an appointment to be seen as soon as possible.

  • You should be discharged with medications (such as Aspirin or Clopidogrel– if you don’t take them already).
  • Do NOT drive until the TIA clinic has advised you otherwise.
  • If you do not hear from the TIA Clinic within the time scale above then please contact them on 01228 814438

 

What to expect at the TIA Clinic

The doctor or a stroke specialist will ask you questions about your symptoms and about your medical history. You might have to have blood tests, scans or other tests. You might also have tests to find out if you have a health condition that explains your symptoms or explains what might have led to a TIA.

More information can be accessed from:

                                                                                  

 Relaunch of the Act FAST campaign to improve stroke outcomes - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)                                                                     

Stroke FAST

      

Confidentiality

‘The Trust’s vision is to keep your information safe in our hands.’ We promise to use your information fairly and legally, and in-line with local and national policies. You have a right to understand how your information is used and you can request a copy of the information we hold about you at any time.

For further information on confidentiality contact the Information Governance Team:

Information.Governance@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 603961

Feedback

We appreciate and encourage feedback, which helps us to improve our services. If you have any comments, compliments or concerns to make about your care, please contact the Patient, Advice & Liaison Service:

pals@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 814008 or 01946 523818

If you would like to raise a complaint regarding your care, please contact the Complaints Department:

complaints@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 936302