Transient ischaemic attack (TIA) Q&As
Published by Bupa's health information team, March 2009.
Answers to questions about transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.
- What is my chance of having a full stroke if I have had a TIA?
- Do people always have a TIA first before having a stroke?
- Can I drive after having a TIA?
What is my chance of having a full stroke if I have had a TIA?
Having a TIA is a sign that part of your brain is not getting enough blood. This puts you at immediate risk of stroke. It's hard to say what your exact chance of having a stroke is, as this can depend on a number of factors.
Explanation
Without treatment, about one in four people who have had a TIA go on to have a full-blown stroke within a few years. Furthermore, your risk of stroke is highest straight after you have a TIA - one in five people who have a TIA have a stroke in the following month, and the risk is greatest in the first three days after a TIA.
This is why it's so important that you don't ignore any symptoms that could be due to a TIA, but get them checked out by your GP straight away. Making changes to your lifestyle, such as stopping smoking and improving your diet, and getting the appropriate treatment, whether it's with medicines or surgery, can greatly reduce your risk of having a stroke.
Sources
- Transient ischaemic attack (TIA). The Stroke Association, October 2006, Factsheet 01. www.stroke.org.uk
- Simon C, Everitt H, Kendrick T. Oxford Handbook of General Practice. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005:606-607
- Transient ischaemic attack - not in atrial fibrillation. Clinical Knowledge Summaries. http://cks.library.nhs.uk, accessed 9 December 2008
Do people always have a TIA first before having a stroke?
No, most people who have a stroke do not have a TIA first.
Explanation
Only about one in 10 to three in 10 people who have a stroke for the first time have had a TIA before. Most people who have a stroke don't have any warning signs before they have one. For this reason, if someone seems to be having symptoms of a stroke, you shouldn't wait to see whether their symptoms will go away, but should seek immediate medicine attention.
A good way to recognise whether someone has had a TIA or a stroke is to use the face-arm-speech test (abbreviated to FAST). This involves checking for three of the main symptoms of TIA and stroke - facial weakness, arm weakness and speech problems.
Sources
- Transient ischaemic attack - not in atrial fibrillation. Clinical Knowledge Summaries. http://cks.library.nhs.uk, accessed 9 December 2008
- Transient ischaemic attack (TIA). The Stroke Association, October 2006, Factsheet 01. www.stroke.org.uk
Can I drive after having a TIA?
You will have to stop driving for at least one month after having a TIA.
Explanation
Legally, under the rules set by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), you must not drive for at least one month after you have been diagnosed as having had a TIA, even if you don't have any symptoms during this time.
The rules are put in place to protect you and other drivers - you are at increased risk of having a stroke in the first month after a TIA, and having a stroke while you are driving would be very dangerous.
You can start driving again with a group 1 licence (eg, for a car or motorcycle) one month after your TIA, as long as you don't have any further symptoms, such as problems with your vision or with feeling in your arms and legs. Ask your GP for advice if you're not sure whether you should drive. You do not need to notify the DVLA about your condition unless you are still having symptoms after one month.
If you have had a number of TIAs over a short period of time, you might need to stop driving for longer (at least three months), and you will need to notify the DVLA.
You will not be able to drive larger vehicles such as lorries and buses (group 2 licence) for at least a year after a TIA.
Sources
- At a glance guide to the current medical standards of fitness to drive. Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, September 2008. www.dvla.gov.uk
Related topics
This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.
Publication date: March 2009
Transient ischaemic attack (TIA) factsheet
Visit the transient ischaemic attack (TIA) health factsheet for more information.
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