As a result, some cells are damaged and others die. This is often referred to as a mini stroke as the blood supply is not disrupted for so long and the patient recovers. TIAs are strong predictors of stroke. They can last from 30 seconds to 24 hours but more than 90 per cent of TIAs last less than two hours. TIAs are important because they can be the warning sign of an impending stroke.
Stroke can affect a person's body, mind and emotion.
The effect is often devastating because dead brain cells cannot be replaced. Of people who survive a stroke around half will be left with significant disability. An estimated 9000 Singaporeans suffer a stroke each year, according to the Singapore National Stroke Association. It is the third biggest killer in Singapore after Cancer and Heart Diseases. The symptoms of a stroke or TIA can appear suddenly without warning.