UK Health Radio Medical News Update TIA (transient ischaemic attack) - mini-stroke

Friday 2nd May 2014

UK Health Radio Medical News Update

TIA (transient ischaemic attack) - mini-stroke

A warning today from the Stroke Association that those who ignore symptoms of a TIA (transient ischaemic attack) otherwise known as a mini-stroke may run the risk of going on to have a major stroke.

A TIA causes similar symptoms to a stroke, such as speech problems, or weakness done one side.  The difference is that they may last only a few minutes.

A survey that was done of TIA patients found more than one in three had dismissed their symptoms as just a "funny turn".

It is estimated that about 10,000 strokes could be prevented if patients who had a TIA came forward to be treated.

There are two important things to remember that might help you identify a mini-stroke.

• The symptoms of TIAs usually come on suddenly

• The symptoms of a mini stroke are the same as for stroke but normally resolve within 24 hours.

Signs to look for that may mean you or someone else is having a TIA may include facial weakness, look for a drooping mouth or eyes, weakness of the arm and also slurred speech. The greatest risk of having a major stroke has been reported to be within the first few days after having a TIA, said the Stroke Association’s chief executive Jon Barrick.

“For many people”, he said, "it doesn't feel like an emergency because the symptoms are short lived and not very pronounced."  He said.  “But” he cautioned, “There's nothing small about mini-stroke,"

"It's a medical emergency. When the symptoms start, you should call 999 immediately and say you may be having a stroke."

Each year about 46,000 people in the UK suffer from a TIA for the first time.

One in 20 people will have a major stroke within two days of a mini-stroke and this figure rises to one in 12 within a week of having had a TIA.

Amanda Thomas for UK Health Radio kindly sponsored by 1-stop-health-shop.com