Learn the Symptoms of Transient Ischemic Attack and What to Do

Speech disturbance and/or weakness on one side of your face or body: call your doctor or get to the nearest hospital at once.  They will probably do an ABCD2  score:    

"The ABCD2 score has been endorsed as a simple method for identifying patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) who are at high risk for early stroke and require admission. Investigators reviewed the score on 148 patients with TIA at three hospitals in Greece and Singapore.

The 7-point ABCD2 score is based on the following:

Age 60 = 1 point
Blood pressure at presentation 140/90 mm Hg = 1 point
Clinical features: unilateral weakness = 2 points; speech disturbance without weakness = 1 point
Duration of symptoms: 10–59 minutes = 1 point; 60 minutes = 2 points
Diabetes mellitus = 1 point

Patients with higher ABCD2 scores had higher incidences of stroke at 7 days and 90 days. Patients with scores > 2 were five times more likely to suffer stroke at 90 days than those with lower scores.

Comment: This study supports the clinical use of the ABCD2 score. The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association advises:  Patients with scores >2 be admitted to the hospital for urgent diagnostic evaluation.

Source: NY Healthcare Examiner