A suspected transient ischaemic attack is a medical emergency requiring same-day assessment, not an outpatient appointment. Diagnosis is made from the history of brief focal neurological symptoms that fully resolved, with urgent brain imaging, vascular studies and cardiac assessment.
A suspected transient ischaemic attack is a medical emergency requiring same-day assessment, not an outpatient appointment. Diagnosis is made from the history of brief focal neurological symptoms that fully resolved, with urgent brain imaging, vascular studies and cardiac assessment.
The symptoms going away is exactly what makes people wait, and it is the most dangerous misunderstanding in this area. A transient ischaemic attack is a warning that a completed stroke may follow, and the risk is highest in the first days afterwards. Same-day assessment allows the cause to be found and treatment started while that window is open. If you think you or someone else has had one, go to an emergency department or call 911 rather than booking an appointment.
A transient ischaemic attack produces focal symptoms: sudden weakness or numbness on one side, sudden speech disturbance, sudden loss of vision in one eye, or sudden loss of coordination, developing over seconds and resolving completely, usually within an hour. Onset speed matters, because symptoms that build gradually over minutes are more characteristic of migraine aura. Generalised dizziness, light-headedness or brief confusion without focal features is usually something else.
Brain imaging, since a proportion of clinically transient events show infarction on MRI, which changes the diagnosis to stroke. Vascular studies of the neck and intracranial arteries to look for narrowing. Cardiac assessment including an ECG and often prolonged rhythm monitoring, because atrial fibrillation is a common and treatable cause. Blood tests for glucose, cholesterol and clotting. Transcranial Doppler is performed at both CNS offices; MRI and carotid ultrasound are arranged externally.
Clinical Neurology Specialists has been physician-owned since 1998, when Leo Germin, M.D., FAANEM founded it. Five board-certified neurologists and four advanced practice providers see patients at the Las Vegas and Henderson offices, each with its own AANEM-accredited electrodiagnostic laboratory.
Clinical Neurology Specialists is an adult outpatient neurology practice for patients 18 and older. The practice performs no surgery and operates no imaging suite, infusion suite or interventional pain programme, and provides no emergency or inpatient care.
Physician-reviewed. Reviewed by the physicians of Clinical Neurology Specialists — board-certified neurologists, AANEM-accredited electrodiagnostic laboratories, physician-owned since 1998. Reviewed 1 August 2026. This article is general education for adults 18 and older and is not a substitute for a consultation.
Sources and further reading: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; MedlinePlus: carotid artery disease; American Academy of Neurology.
Adults 18 and older, at the Las Vegas and Henderson offices. Call 702-804-1212 or request an appointment online.