Aspirin after stroke can avert death and disability

Death and disability can be averted by quickly taking aspirin after a minor stroke, a study has found.

The blood-thinning drug is already given to people who have suffered a transient ischaemic attack (TIA), or “mini-stroke”, after they have been assessed in hospital. But more urgent treatment greatly reduces the risk of a subsequent fatal or disabling stroke, new research shows.

Taking aspirin as soon as possible after experiencing “warning symptoms” increased the level of risk reduction from 15% to 70%-80%.