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Community pharmacists have a crucial role to play in identifying transient ischaemic attack (TIA) symptoms and triggering an emergency response, says the Stroke Association. The call follows a new report which found that thousands of people risk suffering a major stroke because they dismiss the symptoms of a TIA.

Rapid treatment of TIAs could prevent about 10,000 strokes annually, saving the NHS more than £200m, says the association, which interviewed 670 people who had experienced a TIA in the past five years for its new report, 'Not just a funny turn'. Of these, 20 per cent went on to suffer a major stroke.

Almost half (47 per cent) of those interviewed said that TIA symptoms €didn't feel like an emergency€ and 37 per cent thought the ministroke was a €funny turn€. Almost a quarter said that the symptoms lasted less than 10 minutes. Despite the high-profile 'FAST' media campaign, only 22 per cent of those experiencing symptoms rang 999 and 14 per cent took no action. About 10 per cent said they delayed taking action because they did not know whom to contact. Almost a quarter did not take action despite suffering more than one TIA.

Before experiencing a mini-stroke:

• 44 per cent had never heard of TIAs
• 27 per cent had heard of TIAs but did not know a lot about the condition
• 61 per cent were unaware that a TIA is a warning sign of a possible future stroke.

While TIAs are supposed to be transitory, 45 per cent reported that their mini-stroke caused problems with communication, memory or vision.

€The greatest risk of having a stroke is within the first few days after a TIA but, because the symptoms are brief or mild, for many people it doesn't feel like an emergency,€ says Nikki Hill, deputy director of external affairs at the Stroke Association. €Too many TIA patients delay calling 999 when their symptoms start, often waiting instead for a GP appointment, or visiting their local pharmacist for advice.€

Urgently investigating and treating TIAs or minor strokes reduces the risk of another stroke by 80 per cent, says Ms Hill. However 25 per cent of respondents said that healthcare professionals didn't recognise the symptoms as those of a TIA and 23 per cent said they weren't given any information or advice about the lifestyle changes that reduce stroke risk.

€People who may have had a TIA in the past, and who have not sought urgent medical treatment, should see their GP as soon as possible as they are at high risk of having a stroke,€ Ms Hill told Pharmacy Magazine.

€A thorough understanding of TIA and stroke can empower community pharmacists with the knowledge to ensure TIA patients receive the urgent treatment they need, and go on to make their best possible recovery.€ More information at www.stroke.org.uk/tia.