Response To Carotid Endarterectomy Audit

Main Category: Stroke
Article Date: 08 Jun 2009 - 4:00 PDT

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Joe Korner, Director of Communications at The Stroke Association said: "This audit shows that there is still a long way to go to make sure people get urgent preventative treatment that could prevent a catastrophic stroke.

As people become more aware of stroke symptoms through the FAST advertising, it is vital that the NHS treats all types of stroke, including those with short-lived symptoms known as transient ischaemic attack or TIA, as emergencies when people call 999. Thousands of lives are at stake.

Your risk of stroke is highest in the first 48 hours after a TIA and prompt surgery on the carotid artery could save thousands of people from going on to have a severe stroke. Too few people are getting this surgery, and many people are having it too late to make any difference.

The Stroke Association wants to see substantial progress in the coming months to remove all of the delays in treating TIA. What is needed has already been outlined in the National Stroke Strategy and NICE Guidelines. We urge all parts of the health service to make the changes needed to prevent thousands of people from having a stroke in the coming year."

Source
The Stroke Association