Warning signs you must never ignore
If any of these occur, even briefly, call 112 or 999 at once. A brief episode — a TIA or 'mini-stroke' — is the clearest warning you will get before a major stroke.
- Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg, usually on one side
- Sudden difficulty speaking or understanding speech
- Sudden loss of vision in one eye, often described as a curtain coming down
- Sudden severe dizziness or loss of balance
How it is treated
Many people are managed with medication and risk-factor control alone. Where the narrowing is significant, Prof Sultan performs one-day carotid endarterectomy, and offers TCAR and transfemoral stenting where these suit the patient better. Most people go home the following morning.
