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Transient Ischaemic Attacks (or TIAs) are similar to a stroke but short-lived and herald an increased risk of a permanent brain attack. Now it's been shown the pattern of your TIA symptoms can help predict the odds of you going on to have a stroke. Transient Ischaemic Attacks (or TIAs) are similar to a stroke but short-lived and herald an increased risk of a permanent brain attack. The question is whether there's a particular pattern of TIA symptoms that indicate a person's in peril. A British group has followed around 1000 people with transient ischaemic attacks to see what factors predicted progression to a proper stroke in the next week. The variables which counted most were weakness down one side; how long the TIA lasted (anything over ten minutes was significant); being aged over 60; having slurred speech, trouble expressing yourself or understanding others; and raised blood pressure after the event. The researchers created a score out of six where weakness and duration over 60 minutes were worth two points each, the other factors were worth one. A person with a six score had a scary 30 per cent chance of a stroke in the next week and a five score had a risk of more than one in ten. Of course whether you think you're having a TIA, a full-on stroke, or you're not quite sure, don't ignore it. Just like a heart attack you need to get to the nearest hospital emergency department as quickly as possible.
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