Sweat the Small Stuff When it Comes to Stroke

Lehigh Valley, Pa. (November 28, 2007) – According to two new studies published in the Oct. 2007 issue of The Lancet, treating patients quickly for mini-strokes could cut the risk of a major stroke later. Research has shown that mini-strokes, also known as transient ischemic attacks (TIA's), can lead to bigger, more devastating strokes within 90 days. But new evidence suggests that treating these smaller strokes within 24 hours could prevent the bigger, more serious strokes from occurring.

Doctors found that patients treated within 24 hours of having a mini-stroke cut their chances by 80 percent of having a more serious stroke in the next three months. But doctors tend to send their patients home after just 24 hours if the symptoms disappear.

"It's important that patients find their way to a primary stroke center facility if they suspect a stroke," said Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network's stroke program coordinator, Susan Nevada, R.N. "Patients might not get life-saving medications or receive an appropriate stroke work up if they go to a facility that is not a Joint Commission certified stroke center."

Mini-strokes have the same symptoms as a big stroke, including facial numbness, slurred speech and paralysis on one side of the body, blurry vision or a sudden headache. But in small strokes, the symptoms last less than 24 hours, usually most last less than 60 minutes.

In the first part of the study, 310 mini-stroke patients were observed as they received standard care. After a referral to an outpatient clinic, the patients normally waited about three weeks, these patients were typically prescribed drugs, including aspirin, to lower their blood pressure and cholesterol, and to prevent clotting. In the second part of the study, about 281 other patients were given these same medications within 24 hours of their suspected mini-stroke.

The patients who weren't treated as quickly had about a 10 percent chance of having a major stroke in the next three months. The patients treated immediately had only about a 2 percent chance of having a major stroke in the same time frame. Among the patients who received delayed treatment, 32 had a bigger stroke. In the group that received fast treatment, only six had a more serious stroke.

"Small strokes are often a warning sign of a major stroke down the road," said Nevada. "It's important that patients get care right away, even if it is for a small stroke."

Nevada also said that prevention is the best medicine. "By knowing what your personal risk factors are and controlling them can significantly reduce your chances of stroke."

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