BBC Morning Live's Dr Ranj issues warning over 'silent killer' that leaves no sign

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A “silent killer” that could strike without leaving any trace after an attack has been spotlighted by Dr Ranj Singh on BBC Morning Live. He called attention to TIA mini strokes and pointed out symptoms that may indicate an ongoing episode.

In today's episode, Dr Singh also outlined the common indicators of a stroke which demand immediate response.

The show featured an NHS clip stating early warning signs can manifest in the inability to raise an arm, a failed attempt to smile, or slurred speech. Urgently, it instructed: "At the first sign, it's time to call 999."

According to the NHS, a transient ischaemic attack (TIA), or "mini stroke", occurs due to a temporary disturbance of blood flow to parts of the brain. This disruption means the brain experiences a lack of oxygen, potentially triggering sudden stroke-like symptoms such as problems with speech, vision, and weakness or numbness in the face, arms, and legs.

Unlike a stroke, the effects of a TIA are short-lived, ranging from a few minutes to several hours, and completely sudside within 24 hours, reports Surrey Live.

Dr Ranj discussed the nature of TIA mini strokes, explaining: "TIA mini strokes don't leave lasting damage, which is different to a full blown stroke, which often there is evidence of damage. So when you go and you get tests done, it's usually to look for underlying causes that we may be able to do something about."

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Elaborating on the protocol following a TIA, he added, "So if someone's had a mini stroke or a TIA, you should be referred to a stroke specialist, ideally within 24 hours. That's why I was talking about earlier. It's so important to seek help if you haven't done so already."

The primary symptoms of a TIA can be remembered using the acronym FAST, according to Dr Ranj. He explained: "The kind of test that we might do. First, we might do some blood tests to look at things like your cholesterol levels, which we know can be a factor. Look at your blood sugar levels because we know people that struggle with things like diabetes can have issues with strokes as well. We'll do some scans things like a CT scan, which might show damage in the acute phase. And we can do MRI scans, which can look for long term damage. We can also do what we call angiograms, which look at the blood vessels in your neck and your brain to see if there's any issues there."

"Really important to check things like your blood pressure because that's a major factor in stroke risk. And also do things like a heart tracing or an ECG to look for underlying heart conditions that might contribute. The treatment we then offer potentially depends on what your results might show. Sometimes we don't find a cause for the strokes at all, and you may be offered other treatment to reduce your risk anyway."

The NHS warns that a TIA is a sign of an impending serious attack, stating: "A TIA is a warning sign that you may be at risk of having a full stroke in the near future, and an assessment can help doctors determine the best way to reduce the chances of that happening."

"If you think you may have had a TIA previously, but the symptoms have passed and you did not seek medical advice at the time, make an urgent appointment with a GP. They can determine whether to refer you for a hospital assessment."

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