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Immediate assessment and treatment of patients who have suffered a minor stroke can minimise the risk of disability, it has been claimed.

According to previous research, rapid action can cut the 90-day risk of recurrent stroke by about 80 per cent.

However, a new report – which has been published in the Lancet – has said that such action also has a positive effect on admissions to hospital, costs and disability.

Professor Peter Weissberg, medical director at the British Heart Foundation, said it is widely accepted that a heart attack is a medical emergency which requires immediate attention.

"Exactly the same applies to stroke, but for some reason mini strokes are still not treated with the same sense of urgency as mini heart attacks. This study emphasises the importance of taking rapid action when symptoms of a stroke occur," he noted.

Meanwhile, the Institute of Health and Medical Research in Paris recently claimed that cold winter weather could increase the risk of strokes among the elderly.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, February 5th, 2009 at 2:00 pm and is filed under Stroke.