TIA and Stroke are medical conditions that happen to the body because of some causes related to the brain. Both are confused because the symptoms of both of them are mainly similar.
There are many differences between the causes, treatment, characteristics, etc. The differences between them are mentioned below.
Key Takeaways
- TIAs (transient ischemic attacks) are temporary disruptions in blood flow to the brain, while strokes involve prolonged blockage or ruptured blood vessels.
- TIAs last for a few minutes to a few hours, whereas strokes can cause permanent damage or disability.
- Stroke symptoms are similar to TIAs but more severe, and urgent medical attention is necessary to minimize damage and complications.
TIA vs Stroke
TIA stands for Transient Ischemic Attack, also known as a mini-stroke and occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is temporarily blocked that lasts only a few minutes to a few hours. A stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is blocked, leading to brain cell damage or death.
TIA is a stroke-like attack and is many times confused with stroke because it shows the same symptoms as a stroke. Though a TIA lasts only a few minutes and hours, and it cannot cause permanent damage.
But TIA also needs immediate medical attention because it can be a stroke taken as TIA.
A stroke is a medical condition in which the brain cells begin to die as the blood flow to the blow is interrupted. Since the blood flow to the brain is inaccurate, Paralysis or numbness of the body can happen.
A stroke needs immediate medical attention as it can be severe.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | TIA | Stroke |
|---|---|---|
| What is it? | It is a medical condition in which a mini-stroke occurs. | It is a medical condition in which the brain is affected. |
| Cause | Numbness in the body, blurred vision, slurred speech, etc. | It is caused because the blood flow to the brain is interrupted for a longer time. |
| Symptoms | Stroke can also be treated by medication and surgery. However, it cannot be cured fully. | Trouble walking, and speaking, Paralysis, etc. |
| Damage | It does not cause permanent damage. | Stroke can cause permanent damage. |
| Treatment | TIA can be treated by medication and surgery. | Stroke can also be treated by medication and surgery. However, it cannot be cured entirely. |
What is TIA?
TIA stands for ‘Transient Ischemic Attack’. TIA feels like a stroke, and all the symptoms show that it’s a stroke, but it is a quick stroke. It is also known as a mini-stroke.
TIA is caused by the interruption of blood flow and oxygen to the brain, just like a stroke. Though it lasts for only a while, the blood flow returns after a temporary interruption.
The blockage happens for a while, and the blood flow returns to normal.
Usually, a TIA attack lasts for a few minutes to a few hours, primarily for less than an hour. The symptoms include trouble walking, blurred vision, slurred speech, numbness of the body, etc.
The TIA doesn’t leave permanent damage and can be cured up to a point. However, it can be a sign of a future stroke. So it is necessary for immediate medical attention.
TIA can occur because of health-related problems like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, smoking, drinking, etc. The treatment of TIA involves medication and surgery.
To avoid TIA or a stroke in the future, one has to maintain a healthy lifestyle, do some yoga, or exercise on a fundamental level.
What is Stroke?
A stroke is a medical condition in which the blood flow from the heart to the brain is interrupted.
And since the brain doesn’t get enough blood and oxygen, the brain cell tissues start dying, due to which the functions these cells control are affected, and the body collapses, causing a stroke.
A stroke needs immediate medical attention; if not treated on time, it can be life-threatening. A stroke differs from low to high. The symptoms of the stroke include Paralysis or numbness of the body.
A stroke is commonly known as an ischemic stroke. Mainly, a blood clot interrupts blood flow in an artery which leads to the brain. A stroke can last for hours, leaving permanent damage to the body.
And it is fatal as it cannot be cured completely. Medication and surgery can control it but cannot fix it. Though nowadays, there are better options and treatments to treat stroke. Stroke can leave Paralysis, which will need physical therapy to recover.
The effects of the stroke can show improvement over time though there will always be a chance of having another attack. A stroke can grow more prominent, causing swelling n the brain.
So, a stroke needs complete medical attention and monitoring. Stroke is a common disease; more than one million cases are recorded annually in India.
Main Differences Between TIA And Stroke
- In TIA, the blood flow is interrupted briefly and returns to normal. While in a stroke, the blood flow is interrupted and requires medical attention.
- TIA is not as serious as a stroke. A stroke can be fatal to health.
- The symptoms of TIA don’t last longer than a few minutes or hours, while Stroke has symptoms that last longer.
- TIA doesn’t cause permanent while stroke can cause permanent damage.
- TIA can be treated up to a point, but not completely. Though Stroke cannot be cured, it can be controlled via medication and therapy.
- https://n.neurology.org/content/62/6/912.short
- https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1802712
- https://n.neurology.org/content/87/14/1501.short
Last Updated : 13 July, 2023
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
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