RESIDENTS in Malvern and Ledbury who have suffered the symptoms of a mini-stroke are being urged to get in touch with the Stroke Association to take part in a new survey.
Faces tingling, stumbling over speech for a short time and pins and needles down the arm can all be signs of a Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) which many could put down to ‘a funny turn’.
Every year, 50,000 people in the UK have a TIA or mini-stroke without even knowing it.
Now The Stroke Association wants people who have these symptoms to take part in the survey and let the charity know how it affects them and what they do when they have one.
The Stroke Association will use the information gathered to demonstrate the number of mini-strokes that happen and their effects while encouraging people to act immediately.
Judy Walker, director of life after stroke services at The Stroke Association, said: “We’ve heard many stories of people who have gone on to have a major stroke within a day, week, or even a few months after their TIA, but had not recognised the signs.
“We want people to know the symptoms and act immediately so they can prevent a stroke.
“I hope anyone affected by a TIA, including stroke survivors and their families, will help us by filling in this survey so we can campaign for change and increase awareness of TIA as a warning sign of stroke.”
TIAs can be diagnosed using the same FAST scheme used for strokes – Facial weakness, the person’s face drooping, usually down one side, Arm weakness, people not being able to lift both arms, Speech problems, people’s speech sounding slurred, and Time to call 999 – if one or more of these symptoms are present.
The survey is available online at www.stroke.org.uk/tiasurvey until November 30. Alternatively, call 0207 566 0300.
