Ignore symptoms of mini-stroke at your own peril

Ignore symptoms of mini-stroke at your own peril

More than half the people in a new study ignored the initial symptoms of a mini-stroke and did not seek prompt medical attention or report at the emergency ward. The study published in the March 31 issue of Stroke, the Journal of the American Heart Association, says that it is dangerous to ignore these symptoms, which could lead to a major stroke later on.

Mini-strokes or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) typically present as sudden confusion, visual problems, dizziness, sudden numbness or weakness of part of the body or a sudden headache. This study found that very few people recognized these symptoms as a stroke and sought help.

Lead researcher Dr. Matthew F. Giles of University of Oxford, England said that the figures were a cause for concern. The study quizzed 241 people who had a TIA, by asking them to attribute their symptoms to a disorder. Only 107 people were able to recognize that the symptoms were an emergency.

Among these 27 people reported for non-emergency treatment on the same day, while 43 postponed it to the next day. 64 people went to their doctors after two days or more. It was also found that those who had an episode on a Friday or a Saturday postponed seeking treatment till Monday.

"That is an example of people not paying heed to these symptoms," Giles, a research fellow in clinical neurology at Oxford said. "If you have a TIA on the weekend, you'll say, 'I'll get in touch with the family doctor on Monday.' But by Monday everything is settled down, and you don't do it." People who experienced intense symptoms like weakness in the face or an arm were quick to recognize it as an emergency.

The study also said that if the symptoms persisted for more than an hour, patients were able to tag it as requiring urgent treatment. A TIA occurs when there is a temporary blockage of an artery in the brain and is a common occurrence in the elderly. Giles said that the immediate treatment could potentially save a life.