Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) - Home Treatment

Home Treatment

Home treatment is not appropriate for a transient ischemic attack (TIA). If you think you are having a TIA, do not ignore the symptoms and do not try to manage them at home. Seek emergency medical care when symptoms first appear. Prompt treatment may keep you from having a stroke.

If you have had a TIA recently:

• Follow your treatment plan to help prevent another TIA or stroke.
• Call your doctor if you notice unusual bruising or bleeding and you are taking aspirin or other medicines that slow blood clotting (such as warfarin, clopidogrel, or aspirin with extended-release dipyridamole). Follow these safety tips when taking medicines that slow blood clotting, and be alert for signs of bleeding.
• Work with your doctor to control any medical conditions that may increase your risk of having another TIA or stroke, such as high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, high cholesterol, or diabetes.
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet. For more information, see:

  Heart disease: Eating a heart-healthy diet.

• Stay at a healthy weight.
• Do not smoke. (For more information on how to quit, see the topic Quitting Smoking.) Avoid secondhand smoke too.
• Get regular exercise.
• Limit alcohol. If you drink alcohol, drink moderately. Moderate drinking is 2 drinks a day for men, and 1 drink a day for women.
• Avoid getting sick from the flu. Get a flu shot every year.