TIA / Carotid Stenosis — the plain-language one-pager.

What is a TIA — and why does Carotid Stenosis matter?Diagnosis

A TIA (transient ischemic attack, "mini-stroke") is a brief episode of stroke symptoms — face droop, arm weakness, speech trouble, vision change — that resolves within minutes to hours. It is the brain's warning shot. About 1 in 3 people with a TIA will have a full stroke within days to months — most of them in the first week. A TIA is a medical urgency, not "I'm fine, it went away." Carotid Stenosis is narrowing of the carotid arteries (the main arteries up the neck to the brain) by atherosclerotic plaque — and it is one of the most treatable causes of stroke and TIA.

• FAST / BE-FAST signs that resolve = TIA. Same emergency response as a stroke — call 911. The diagnosis happens after the symptoms resolve, not because they resolved.
• Workup after a TIA — neurology consult or stroke clinic within days; carotid duplex ultrasound; CT or MR angiography; brain MRI; ECG and a heart-rhythm monitor (looking for AFib); echocardiogram; lipid panel; A1C.
• Carotid Stenosis — graded by ultrasound (often 50–69% moderate, ≥70% severe). Severe symptomatic stenosis is treated with carotid endarterectomy (open surgical plaque removal) or carotid stenting (catheter-based) — both pages have a 360° Procedure Explorer in this program.
• The medical program is the same as stroke prevention — high-intensity statin (LDL <70 mg/dL after TIA), antiplatelet (aspirin or clopidogrel; sometimes both short-term after TIA via the CHANCE/POINT regimen), BP <130/80, A1C control, no tobacco, anticoagulation if AFib is found.

After a TIA, the next 7 days are decisiveMove fast

The risk of a full stroke is highest in the first 48 hours, then the first week, then the first month after a TIA. Modern care has cut that risk dramatically — but only if the workup happens fast and the program starts immediately.

• Day 0 — Call 911 even after symptoms resolve. Same response as a stroke. Tell EMS "TIA — I want a stroke workup."
• Within 24-72 hours — Neurology / stroke clinic; brain imaging; carotid imaging; cardiac rhythm monitoring; lab workup. Many systems offer a "TIA clinic" or rapid-access pathway.
• Week 1 — Start (or maximize) high-intensity statin; antiplatelet single or dual; BP control to <130/80; A1C plan if diabetic; nicotine cessation if smoking.
• Week 2-4 — Surgical decision if severe symptomatic carotid stenosis (≥70%); endarterectomy or stenting within 2 weeks of the index TIA gives the biggest stroke-prevention benefit.
• Long-term — TIA + AFib = anticoagulation. TIA + carotid stenosis + medical = lifelong program. TIA without obvious cause = ongoing rhythm monitoring (loop recorder for cryptogenic events).

Your daily Force FieldLive It

• BP medication — taken every day, no skipping. Blood pressure control is the single most powerful stroke-prevention lever, especially after a TIA or first stroke.
• Antiplatelet or anticoagulant — aspirin or clopidogrel after an ischemic stroke; if you have atrial fibrillation, an anticoagulant (apixaban, rivaroxaban, warfarin) cuts stroke risk by ~65%. Bleeding awareness matters.
• BP control — target generally <130/80 unless your team specifies different. Home cuff and weekly log.
• Diabetes / A1C control + statin — if you have diabetes, prediabetes, or known atherosclerosis, these protect your brain arteries.
• Mediterranean-style or DASH eating — vegetables, fruit, whole grains, fish, olive oil, nuts. Less ultra-processed food.
• Activity + rehab — at least 150 minutes/week moderate activity. After a stroke, structured neuro rehab (PT, OT, speech therapy) drives the recovery — start early and don't stop.
• No tobacco, no vaping — quitting at any age is the single biggest Stroke-protective change.
• Sleep, stress, and mental health — depression, untreated sleep apnea, and chronic stress all raise Stroke risk.

Red flags — call nowAction

• Call your clinic the same day for: new chest discomfort with exertion that goes away with rest (stable TIA (mini-stroke) worth evaluating); a missed dose of antiplatelet or BP medication; medication side effects (muscle aches, bleeding, GI symptoms).
• Bring up at next visit: any change in exercise tolerance, blood pressure follow-up timing, BP log review, smoking-cessation support, depression screening, sleep concerns.