Stroke Victims Should Be Treated The Same As A Heart Attack Victim, Says British Heart Foundation

Main Category: Heart Disease
Article Date: 05 Feb 2009 - 4:00 PST

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In response to the study published in today's Lancet revealing that urgent assessment and treatment of patients, who have had a minor stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA)¹, in a specialist emergency outpatient clinic reduces disability, hospital bed-days and costs Professor Peter Weissberg, Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation said:

"Everyone now recognises that a heart attack is a medical emergency that needs immediate treatment, which is why fewer people are dying from heart attacks. Exactly the same applies to stroke, but for some reason mini strokes are still not treated with the same sense of urgency as mini heart attacks. This study emphasises the importance of taking rapid action when symptoms of a stroke occur."

- ¹ Transient ischaemic attack (TIA): A blockage of the blood vessels which supply blood to the brain, but not as serious as a stroke

- http://press.thelancet.com/tlnexpressfinal.pdf Published on-line, February 5, 2009 DOI:10.1016/S1474-4422(09)70019-5

- The EXPRESS study by Professor Peter Rothwell and colleagues, Stroke Prevention Research Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, and University of Oxford, UK.,

- The British Heart Foundation (BHF) is the nation's heart charity, dedicated to saving lives through pioneering research, patient care, campaigning for change and by providing vital information. But we urgently need help. We rely on donations of time and money to continue our life-saving work. Because together we can beat heart disease.

British Heart Foundation

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