Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) - Exams and Tests

Exams and Tests

Immediate evaluation is recommended if you have had or are having a transient ischemic attack (TIA). The purpose of evaluation is to:

• Check for another cause of your symptoms, such as a stroke, low blood sugar (if you have diabetes), or Bell's palsy.
• Look for a blood clot.
• Determine whether you need surgery to reopen a blocked artery (carotid endarterectomy).
• Determine whether you need medicines to prevent blood clots.

If your TIA symptoms have completely disappeared, the results of a physical exam will be normal, and the diagnosis of a TIA usually will be based on your medical history and certain tests.

If a TIA is suspected, the doctor may want to do tests, such as a:

• CT scan of the head, to check for bleeding in the brain when symptoms of a TIA are occurring and to check for evidence of a stroke or other disease, such as a tumor.
• MRI scan, to check for damage to the brain from a stroke.

Further tests are often done to identify the underlying cause of the TIA. If blockage of the carotid arteries is suspected, you may have tests such as:

• A Doppler ultrasound.
• A magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA). See an picture of a TIA angiogram.
• An angiogram of your head and neck.

TIA symptoms may be due to blood clots caused by a heart problem. If heart problems are suspected, you may have tests such as a:

• Chest X-ray to assess the size and shape of your heart.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG) or Holter monitoring or ambulatory EKG to assess heart rhythm.
• Echocardiogram (echo) to examine the shape of the heart chambers and blood flow through them.
• Cholesterol and triglycerides tests to check the level of these blood fats that can increase your risk for blood clots and hardening of the arteries.

You may have other blood tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC), based on your age and medical history. Your doctor will use these tests to look for other causes of the TIA.