People who have a transient ischaemic attack (TIA or 'mini stroke') have an elevated risk of premature death, new research has found.Scientists at the University of New South Wales and Ingham Institute in Australia looked at the medical records of 22,157 people, all of whom had been hospitalised with a TIA between July 2000 and June 2007.
Participants were followed for at least two years to see if they survived.
The researchers found that at one year after their TIA, 91.5 per cent of patients were still alive, compared with an expected survival rate of 95 per cent for the general population.
At five years, survival among TIA patients was 13.2 per cent lower than expected, and by the time nine years had passed, TIA patients' survival was 20 per cent lower than expected.
People who were older at the time of their TIA were found to be more likely to die than their younger counterparts.
Dr Melina Gattellari, whose findings are published in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association, said: 'People experiencing a TIA won't die from it, but they will have a high risk of early stroke and also an increased risk of future problems that may reduce life expectancy.'
She added that patients and doctors should 'intensely manage' lifestyle and medical risk factors following a TIA.
Approximately 65,000 people have a first TIA each year in the UK, according to the Stroke Association.
Patients who believe they may be experiencing a TIA - symptoms include temporary facial weakness, arm weakness and speech problems - are urged to seek immediate medical attention.
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/interactive/news/mini-stroke-may-reduce-life-expectancy--id801082805-t116.html
