Studies have shown that most patients in Wales who suffer a mini stroke (TIA) miss out on what is potentially a life-saving operation.
Nationally the figures are higher for patients receiving this surgery, compared to Wales. For example, only 16% of patients received treatment within 2 weeks compared to 33% throughput the UK.
Consultant vascular surgeon, Sue Hill of the University of Wales in Cardiff says that the public are generally uninformed about TIA’s. It can also be said that GP’s themselves are poorly informed about mini-strokes, and prescribe only aspirin for the patient.
Sue Hill also says that vascular surgeons are prepared to perform the necessary operation to widen the carotid artery which can dramatically reduce any risk of suffering a more severe stroke.
Professor Ross Naylor has warned that health professionals need to remember that TIA’s and strokes are emergencies and should be treated as such.
The deputy director of The Stroke Association, Nikki Hill says that people need to be sure to get urgent treatment to help prevent a catastrophic stroke.
Where TIA symptoms often get regarded as having a funny turn, they should still not be ignored, despite TIA symptoms disappearing just as quickly as they appear.
A Welsh Assembly Government spokesman welcomes all efforts being made to raise awareness of stroke and TIA symptoms.
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