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Mild stroke patients 'need more screening'

Monday 3rd October 2011

Mild stroke patients should undergo more screening, according to the findings of a new study.

People who experience a mild stroke often live with hidden disabilities including depression, vision problems and difficulty thinking afterwards.

However, according to research presented at the Canadian Stroke Congress, one-quarter of mild stroke patients attending hospital only got as far as the emergency room.

This meant they did not see the occupational therapists, neuropsychologists or speech therapists which are needed to diagnose such conditions.

Co-author Annie Rochette, said: "Patients are told to see their family doctor, but given no other tools or rehabilitation.

"This study dispels the myth that mild strokes lead to few or no consequences."

In other research presented at the congress, scientists noted that smokers are a decade younger than their non-smoking counterparts when they experience a stroke.

The average age of stroke of patients who smoked was 58, compared to 67 for those who did not.

Posted by Alex Franklin Stortford