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Stroke Rehab » TIA Assessment

Private TIA Assessment

A TIA is similar to a stroke, but the symptoms are temporary. A TIA, despite having the nickname of ‘mini stroke’ is a medical emergency so you should seek immediate medical help. In fact, having a TIA assessed and treated at our hospital can reduce your risk of an ensuing stroke by 80%.

Also known as: a mini stroke

What is a TIA or ‘Mini Stroke’

A transient ischaemic attack (TIA) happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is temporarily disrupted. This in turn causes a lack of oxygen to that area of brain and can causes symptoms similar to that of a stroke, such as:

  • Drooping in the face and/or arm
  • Speech difficulties, such as slurring, not being able to speak, or having problems understanding
  • Blurred or double vision
  • Loss of coordination, clumsiness or dizziness
  • Numbness or weakness in the face, arms, or legs
  • Nausea and vomiting

Unlike a stroke, as the loss of blood supply is temporary, symptoms will usually disappear within 24 hours, and most within minutes.

Important

A TIA, just like a stroke, is a medical emergency. If you spot the signs of a TIA in yourself or someone else, call 999 straight away. If the symptoms resolve, no matter how quickly, call 999 anyway – having a TIA is a sign that your risk of a stroke is much higher than normal.

What happens next?

When symptoms of a TIA occur, it is vitally important to be checked over and assessed by a specialist doctor as quickly as possible. The risk of a stroke is highest in the immediate period after a TIA, so the sooner you are diagnosed and treated, the more significantly your risk of a stroke is reduced. Indeed, a large observational study found that the risk of stroke reduced by 80% in those treated after a TIA.*

Many conditions look like a TIA (mimics).  It is all the more important to ensure a correct diagnosis is made given that a diagnosis of TIA often has long-standing and far reaching consequences.

After you call 999, you may be taken to hospital or be referred for ongoing investigation and assessment by the NHS. You may also be given Aspirin to help reduce your risk of stroke. It is important that you do not drive if you suspect a TIA or stroke.

Private TIA Assessment at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital

You may choose to have your initial rapid assessment and follow-up work at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital. TIAs can happen for a number of reasons, nearly 20% of people who have a TIA will have a stroke within 90 days. This is why it is so important to have an assessment to determine the underlying cause.

If you suspect you have had a mini stroke (TIA) and would like to book our assessment package, this is what you can expect:

  • When you call our contact centre they will take your details and symptoms and advise you if this service is right for you
  • You will have an initial virtual consultation with a specialist stroke consultant within 12 hours of referral (if submitted on a working day or before 3pm on Friday)
  • Within 24 hours you will have your scans and investigations (next working day if it is the weekend or after 3pm on Friday) which includes:
    • Blood tests
    • Electrocardiogram (ECG) – this measures your heart’s electrical activity using electrodes attached to the skin
    • MRI & MRA of the brain and surrounding blood vessels, with a full report by a Neuroradiologist
    • Blood pressure check
  • An urgent follow up appointment with your specialist stroke consultant to discuss the results of your initial investigations. This can be via Zoom or in person.
  • A follow up care plan detailing your diagnosis, risk factors and treatments.

If appropriate, you consultant may then recommend you have supplementary investigations.

How Much Does A Private TIA Assessment Cost?

£2,650

The cost of our private TIA Assessment package is £2,650.

  • An initial consultation and follow-up appointment with a consultant
  • Pathology tests
  • ECG (Electrocardiogram)
  • Blood Pressure Monitoring
  • MRI & MRA with contrast
  • Medication

Please note this package is only for self-pay patients.

TIA Supplementary Package

There are times when initial investigations definitively point to a specific cause of a TIA or stroke. Following your initial assessment with us,  your consultant may recommend you have a supplementary package to give further insight. This would involve:

  • An Echocardiogram in our cardiology department: This is a non-invasive imaging test using ultrasound to look at your heart. A bubble contrast echocardiogram uses ultrasound combined with an injection of microbubbles that can help detect tiny holes in your heart.
  • An Ambulatory Electrocardiogram monitoring with Ziopatch.  You will be given this by one of our cardiology team and shown how to wear it. You’ll wear it for 14 days.
  • A consultation with one of our Stroke Consultants, either face-to-face in the clinic or via video call. During this appointment you will discuss your results and next steps.

TIA Supplementary Package Cost

£1,995

The cost of our  TIA supplementary package is £1,995.

This package would be recommended by our consultant after you have had our Stage 1 Diagnosis package and includes:

  • A consultation with a consultant at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital
  • Echocardiogram/ Echocardiogram with Bubble Study
  • ZIO Patch

Please note this package is only for self-pay patients.

Ongoing support with our expert team

St John & St Elizabeth Hospital’s Stroke Clinic is supported by full-time dedicated stroke consultants, vascular surgeons, cardiologists and interventional neuroradiologists, as well as a multi-disciplinary Therapies Department that includes Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists and Dieticians.

Whatever your needs following a suspected TIA or stroke, we can provide ongoing support and expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions About TIA or 'mini strokes'

Medically reviewed by Dr Sageet Amlani - MBChB Oxon MRCP on 04/06/2024