Stroke Health Center

Font Size

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) - 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. If you had symptoms of a TIA but they went away, you still need to see a doctor right away. 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.
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.
Call your doctor if you notice unusual bruising or bleeding and you are taking aspirin or other medicines that slow blood clotting. If you take an anticoagulant, also called a blood thinner, you need to take extra steps to avoid bleeding problems, such as preventing falls and injuries. If you take warfarin, you also need to get regular blood tests and watch how much vitamin K you eat or drink. For more information about safety with warfarin, see:
Warfarin: Taking Your Medicine Safely.
Avoid getting sick from the flu. Get a flu shot every year.

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: January 31, 2011

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.