What are the key clinical features that differentiate a TIA from a stroke in a primary care setting?

In a primary care setting, the key clinical feature differentiating a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) from a stroke is the duration and resolution of neurological symptoms ².

Both conditions present with sudden onset neurological symptoms ¹. A validated tool such as FAST (Face Arm Speech Test) should be used outside hospital to screen people with sudden onset neurological symptoms for a diagnosis of either stroke or TIA ¹. Hypoglycaemia should be excluded as a cause of these symptoms ¹.

A TIA is suggested when neurological symptoms have resolved ². Conversely, if a person has ongoing focal neurological deficits, even if they had a negative FAST test, they must be managed as an acute stroke rather than a TIA ².