Take 8: TIA or stroke?

What is the difference between a transient ischaemic attack and a stroke?

What is the difference between a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) and a stroke?

Both a TIA and a stroke describe a vessel occlusion, but a person with a TIA recovers within 24 hours whereas a stroke doesn’t.

The distinction is important for research purposes, Dr Andrew Wong, the director of neurology and stroke at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, says.

“Clinically I don’t tend to use them that much although we are forced to,” he says.

“But in terms of management of the patient, in terms of secondary prevention the principles are exactly the same. Both a stroke that has survived and a TIA, they both red flags that a patient really needs to have secondary prevention addressed.”

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