Stroke Symptoms & Treatment: Immediate Attention To 'Mini-Stroke' Cuts Death Risks By Half

Stroke symptoms that usually occur during a transient ischemic attacks (TIA), otherwise known as "mini-strokes," should be given immediate attention or treatment. A new study has confirmed that aggressive therapy for mini-strokes can cut the risks of recurrence or death by at least 50 percent.

Study Tacles Stroke Symptoms & Treatment

The findings, which was published in the New England Journal of Medicine, supports previous discoveries on the benefits of treating stroke symptoms. However, it emphasized the importance and needs of care as soon as these conditions occur.

Apparently, choosing to go to the hospital to find emergency care could be a life-changing and life-saving decision for those who are experiencing slurred speech or muscle weakness -- regardless of the severity and length. "You should worry about symptoms even if they last for just a few seconds or a few minutes," said lead author Dr. Pierre Amarenco via Fox News.

Stroke Symptoms & Treatment: Tracking Mini-Stroke In Patients

The researchers looked into the records of 4,789 patients who have had mini-strokes and followed their progress for two and a half years. Of these patients, 78 received immediate treatment within 24 hours of their stroke symptoms and followed through with their medication.

They researchers discovered that 90 days after the attack, the patients' risk for recurring stroke or death was at 3.7 percent only. They initially expected this to fall between 12 to 20 percent, which was implied in previous studies. Within one year of the incident, the rate risk was at 5.1 percent only, per UPI Health.

A stroke or brain attack is a medical emergency that happen when blood flow to your brain stops. pic.twitter.com/KTYYQ1K6BX

— Kesihatan | (@twt_kesihatan) January 31, 2016

Stroke Symptoms & Treatment: Why Mini-Stroke Care Is Paramount 

"The study showed that the widespread, systematic implementation of specialized TIA units across multiple sites, countries, and continents can make a difference in the care of these patients," the experts underscored in their study. They suggested that health care institutions should strive to improve implementing better stroke preventive methods, including fast diagnosis and evaluations to reduce the chances of patients dying from the disease.