transient ischemic attack

noun

: a brief episode of cerebral ischemia that is usually characterized by temporary blurring of vision, slurring of speech, numbness, paralysis, or syncope and is often predictive of a serious stroke

—abbreviation TIA

called also ministroke

Examples of transient ischemic attack in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

More than half of people who experience a transient ischemic attack (TIA), often called a ministroke, report ongoing fatigue for up to a year afterwards, a new study has found. —Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 14 May 2025

For example, a headache could point to a transient ischemic attack or a condition like epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, or fibromyalgia. —Angela Haupt, TIME, 24 Jan. 2025

Doctors determined Kubiak suffered a transient ischemic attack or mini-stroke, possibly related to dehydration. —Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2024

Any of the warning signs may last only a few moments and then disappear, which could mean the person is having a minor stroke or a transient ischemic attack, or TIA. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 1 May 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for transient ischemic attack

• aback
• anzac
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback
• cutback

Medical Definition

transient ischemic attack

noun

: a brief episode of cerebral ischemia that is usually characterized by temporary blurring of vision, slurring of speech, numbness, paralysis, or syncope and that is often predictive of a serious stroke

—abbreviation TIA

called also little stroke, ministroke