- Better awareness of symptoms could prevent 10,000 stroke a year
- Increased surveillance could save the NHS £200 million a year
- Only one in five patients suffering a mini-stroke thought to call 999
18:49 EST, 30 April 2014
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23:22 EST, 30 April 2014
Tens of thousands of people are putting themselves at risk of stroke by dismissing early warning signs as a ‘funny turn’, experts say.
Mini-strokes – also known as transient ischaemic attacks (TIA) – are often a precursor to a potentially fatal major stroke.
Common symptoms such as arm weakness, slurred speech and blurred vision are often written off by sufferers as sciatica or a migraine.
Patients often dismiss symptoms such as arm weakness, slurred speech and blurred vision as having a ‘funny turn’ (picture posed by models)
However, one in 12 people who have a TIA will go on to suffer a full-blown stroke within a week.
Every year, 46,000 people in Britain have a mini-stroke for the first time.
If these were treated properly, around 10,000 strokes a year could be prevented and the NHS could save more than £200million, according to the Stroke Association’s report, Not Just A Funny Turn.
Jon Barrick, chief executive of the Stroke Association, said: ‘The greatest risk of having a major stroke is within the first few days after a mini-stroke. However, for many people it doesn’t feel like an emergency because the symptoms are brief.
‘Too many mini-stroke patients delay calling 999 when their symptoms start and instead book a GP appointment or visit their optician because of their visual symptoms.’
The charity’s report found that one in three people who had a mini-stroke in the past five years thought it was just a ‘funny turn’.
Only one in five rang 999 and almost half said the symptoms did not feel like an emergency. But one in five then went on to have a stroke.
What to watch for
The charity questioned 670 people for the report, which was supported by Legal General.
And a quarter of those surveyed said healthcare professionals had not recognised the symptoms as those of a TIA.
More than a fifth said they were not given any information about lifestyle changes they needed to make to prevent a stroke.
Strokes can affect even the seemingly fit and healthy, as father of four Simon Bird, 53, discovered.
He had a TIA one evening in October 2011.
He said: ‘I was clearing the dishes away after dinner with my wife, Tricia, when I felt a sudden numbness in my left arm and couldn’t get my words out. I had to sit down. But it was over within about 30 seconds.’
Mr Bird was taken to hospital, where a specialist confirmed he had had a mini-stroke. It was a huge shock, given his age and healthy lifestyle. ‘I had lost weight, my diet was good and I was in training for a 100km cycle ride,’ he said.
The mini-stroke was caused by atrial fibrillation, a condition which affects heart rhythm and increases risk of blood clots, which in turn raises risk of stroke and TIA.
Mr Bird was put on medication to manage the condition and prevent a stroke. ‘I dread to think what could have happened if I had ignored it and just put it down to a “funny turn”.’
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Dom and Wolfhound,
Costwold Hills, United Kingdom,
26 minutes ago
So, you have a funny turn and go to your GP who will… dismiss it as a funny turn, and you’ll be alright, don’t worry… THAT’S why older people put off trying to report anything.
Sandy Brown,
London,
1 hour ago
When I had my TIA (Minor Stroke) back in the early 90s, I could not even get to the phone. I thought I must ring somebody but I could not work out how to do it. I was in bed for 3 days before I could do anything.
John,
Lincoln, United Kingdom,
1 hour ago
I am glad that my experience was entirely different, I rang my GP surgery and they advised me to go straight in. Once there the GP arranged a host of tests which indicated the probability of a mini stroke and then arranged for an appointment at the local hospital four hours later (yes four hours). Scans and ECG confirmed the need for medication and they were handed to me before I left. I consider myself very lucky as there were no long term effects – other than short term memory loss. That is my experience of healthcare in the UK.
Bobby Dazler,
Mid Cornwall, United Kingdom,
1 hour ago
2009 I woke up with blured vision in my left eye ! after seeing a hospital specialist I was diagnosed of having a mini stroke while asleep causing CRVO making me blind in my left eye, this not only affected my whole lifestyle but i lost my position at work. Do get seen to ASAP.
Norfolk Lad,
Dereham, United Kingdom,
1 hour ago
I had a very minor TIA in 2009 which just affected the left side of my face. I dialled 999 and was taken to hospital where I had a number of tests and was put on medication. Follow up tests showed that I had an eratic heart beat and Atrial Fibrulation. I hate to think what would have happened if I had ignored the symptoms. Not long before a person living in our village had had a serious stroke and when I ran a fund raising quiz I had included the F.A.S.T. as a question. I was therefore alerted to the TIA as the left side of my face had started to droop. The F.A.S.T. publicity needs to be ramped up.
Jaro,
Northants, United Kingdom,
2 hours ago
Even if you’re at deaths door, getting past a receptionist to see a doctor is virtually impossible, so a “funny turn” doesn’t stand much chance.
Norfolk Lad,
Dereham, United Kingdom,
1 hour ago
If you think you are having a TIA or Stroke dial 999 for an ambulance immediately. Don’t wait for a GP or NHS direct.
Bluecharm,
Northampton, United Kingdom,
2 hours ago
I had a TIA 4 weeks ago. Woke in the morning with a dead right arm, my fingers wouldn’t work, speech was slurred and my right eye lid kept on flickering. Apparently I was very lucky as it was a minor stroke and thankfully I haven’t had a recurrence although psycologically I do wonder if and when I will have another one. Now on blood thinning tablets.
mecmac,
dunedin,
3 hours ago
I think you will find that TIA’s are also known as mini-strokes, not as your reporter put it the otherway around. That is amongst the adults who may still read your dumbed down articles.
Buddy,
North Devon, United Kingdom,
2 hours ago
My mother-in-law had a mini stroke during a hip operation and suffered numerous TIA’s afterwards but that is not what killed her about 5 years later – dementia did ! So I agree with you.
Atavist,
Little Oakley, United Kingdom,
3 hours ago
“Not interested, I’m too young to have a stroke!”. You think so? Booze, smoking, lack of sleep, too much food, stress of work may make you feel you’re in the prime of life. A month on your back in a stroke ward has a habit of quickly removing your job, partner, normal gait and speech. Oh yes it can happen to you.
Bert Dock,
Liverpool,
3 hours ago
The last funny turn I saw was Tommy Cooper.
bar,
notts,
2 hours ago
Really?
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