29/10/2025
IT'S WORLD STROKE DAY TODAY: HERE ARE SIX IMPORTANT LESSONS ON HOW NOT TO MISS A MINI-STROKE & HOW YOU CAN PREVENT A BIG STROKE IF YOU SPOT IT IN YOURSELF OR YOUR LOVED ONE.
80% of all strokes are ischaemic strokes, due to a blockage of a brain artery, The majority are now caused by clot travelling from carotid arteries in the neck.
These strokes can be PREVENTED by a 3-hour operation called carotid endarterectomy.
There are early warning signs of a major ischaemic stroke called Transient Ischaemic Attacks/TIAs/mini-strokes.
Small clots break off from the unstable carotid plaque & give warning signs that last minutes to hours. A major stroke is imminent.
You can recognise them using the E-FAST system. In my years as a Vascular Surgeon, here are 6 top tips on how to apply this system.
1. Sudden blindness or blurring of vision in one eye : This is a sign of little clots from the carotid arteries travelling to your eye arteries. See a Vascular Surgeon ASAP.
2. Facial drooping can be easily missed especially if temporary. Don't forget to tell your doctor about this.
3. The Fall at Home: Classic sign of a mini-stroke where patient has sudden arm or leg weakness that causes them to trip/fall. If your elderly relative has fallen, don't forget to ask did they fall because their leg 'gave way'.
4. Sudden loss of speech : Don't put it down to confusion or hearing problems as this may be a mini-stroke.
5. If your loved one has any of these symptoms, don't forget to ask your doctor for an ultrasound or CT scan of the neck/carotid arteries. Any narrowing > 50% & causing symptoms needs surgery.
6. Seeing a Vascular Surgeon promptly & having carotid surgery can save you from a lifetime of disability or even death. Surgery is 1st line treatment over stents.
E - Eye blindness
F - Facial drooping
A -Arm/Leg weakness
S - Speech loss
T- Time to see a Vascular Surgeon
DO NOT IGNORE signs of a TIA. See a Vascular Surgeon ASAP.
