Survival after minor stroke

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

A study shows that people who have had a minor stroke have a 43 per cent of having another one within ten years.
A stroke remains one of the most serious causes of death and permanent disability. A minor stroke, known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA), is widely regarded as a warning sign that a more severe stroke could be on the way. A team at the University Medical Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands, now looks at the outcome at ten years for those who have had a TIA.

They found that around 60 per cent had died and 54 per cent experienced another stroke. Overall, event-free survival was 48 per cent. In fact, the risk of a second stroke was highest shortly after the TIA, fell to a low about three years after and then rose again. The findings suggest that prevention of further strokes after TIA should be a priority - one which can be addressed by lifestyle changes and medication.

Source
The Lancet 18th June 2005

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