If the debris that travels to the brain is small enough that it only temporarily blocks the artery, it will only momentarily cause damage. This is called a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) or “mini-stroke”.  TIA symptoms typically last for up to an hour, by which point symptoms completely resolve. However, an embolus that causes permanent damage to a part of the brain results in a stroke, and this will usually result in long-lasting symptoms.