Some things pass on their own – but don’t ignore a mini-stroke

Sometimes you have a complaint that clears up by itself.

A cold that disappears after a few days, or an ache or a muscle pull which gradually settles.

There are some symptoms that shouldn’t be ignored, however, even if they come and go very quickly.

Things like weakness or clumsiness of a hand, arm, or leg, particularly if there are difficulties with speech or swallowing at the same time.

There could also be brief loss of vision or double vision.

These symptoms, if they start suddenly and disappear quite quickly, are something you should be speaking to a medical professional about.

They might indicate a Transient Ischaemic Attack, which we also call a mini-stroke.

Without treatment, as many as one in five people who have a TIA will experience a full-blown stroke within a year, and they are also at increased risk of heart attack.

These mini-strokes happen the same way as regular strokes. A blood clot forms in the arteries and then dislodges, travelling through the body before getting stuck somewhere and causing problems.

In a TIA, the clot breaks up when it becomes stuck, meaning the symptoms tend to last a short period of time – less than 24 hours. Typically symptoms appear and pass in a few minutes, though, leading to some thinking they can safely ignore it.

Instead, they should make an urgent appointment to see their GP.

Patients who have experienced a mini-stroke can be referred to a stroke clinic, where they will be given a brain scan.

The clinic will also carry out an ultrasound of the carotid arteries – the big arteries running through the neck – checking if they are narrowed due to fatty plaques.

If there are signs of atrial fibrillation, which is an abnormal heart flutter linked to blood clots, the clinic can identify that, too.

There are anti-platelet medications which prevent clots forming, like aspirin or clopidogrel.

It’s good to tackle the things that put one at risk of having a stroke, though.

Blood pressure needs to be well controlled and there are no two ways about it – cutting out smoking, getting exercise and having a healthy diet are the best places to start.