Diagnosis of Transient ischaemic attack

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The type of symptoms experienced give a clue to the area of the brain affected, and usually indicates which arteries are involved.

The carotid arteries are the main blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood into the head. Symptoms of a thromboembolism in the carotid arteries include:

weakness or numbness affecting one arm, one leg, or one side of the face;
amaurosis fugax (temporary loss of vision); or
language or speech disorders.

Symptoms that suggest a thromboembolism (a clot forming a blockage) in another set of arteries in the brain (the vertebrobasilar arteries) include:

dizziness,
vomiting, and
loss of vision.

If a doctor suspects a TIA, a number of routine blood and heart tests are likely to be carried out, to find out whether there is a problem with the heart or if the blood is particularly likely to clot. Tests may include:

Magnetic resonance angiography, which is a non-invasive method of producing images of the carotid and vertrobasilar arteries;
An ultrasound scan of the carotid arteries may be performed, to check whether they are severely narrowed;
CT or MRI scans, to show actual brain damage;
Blood pressure measurement;
Blood sugar level and urine tests, to detect diabetes; or
An electrocardiogram to check heart function.

Successful treatment and prevention of further TIAs and strokes depends greatly on finding out the underlying cause of the initial attack. It may therefore be necessary to be referred to a specialist to clarify the reason for a TIA.