What is the time period that distinguishes between TIA and CVA?

The correct answer indicates that the time period distinguishing between a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) and a Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) is 1 hour. A TIA is often characterized as a temporary episode of neurological dysfunction caused by an interruption in blood supply to the brain, but it resolves within a short timeframe. Specifically, symptoms of a TIA typically last less than 24 hours, with many resolving within minutes to hours, often within a span of 60 minutes.

When symptoms persist beyond this 1-hour mark, it is more indicative of a CVA, or stroke, which involves a more significant, sustained disruption in blood flow and results in lasting neurological deficits. Understanding this distinction is critical for timely diagnosis and management, as TIAs can serve as warning signs for potential strokes and require prompt evaluation to mitigate future risks.