According to two studies by British and French researchers quick action following a minor stroke reduces the chance of a major stroke later on.
The British researchers at the University of Oxford say immediately treating small strokes cuts the risk of a disabling or deadly stroke in the next 30 days by about 80 percent.
For the study the researchers were interested in looking at ischaemic strokes which are caused by a blood clot, and not the more unusual haemorrhagic strokes, which are caused by bleeding in the brain.
Neurologist Peter Rothwell who led the UK study says these mini-strokes are essentially warning events and most follow-on strokes happen within 30 days of a smaller one, however most patients do not receive treatment for weeks.
A stroke occurs when the blood flow to the brain is blocked; it can kill brain tissue and is one of the world's leading cause of death and permanent disability.
TIAs are caused by a temporary interruption in blood flow to the brain and can be a warning sign of a major stroke.
Current treatments include blood thinning drugs and efforts to lower cholesterol.
The risk of a major stroke occurring in the first month after a minor stroke - a transient-ischaemic attack (TIA) is currently 10%.
The symptoms of TIAs are similar to a stroke and include slurred speech, dizziness, or numbness on one side of the body but unlike a stroke symptoms disappear completely over several hours.
For the study the researchers were interested in looking at ischaemic strokes which are caused by a blood clot, and not the more unusual haemorrhagic strokes, which are caused by bleeding in the brain.
The first part of the study looked at patients who had to wait for an average of three days for an assessment, and an average of 20 days to receive treatment - usually drugs - in a standard primary care setting.
Among this group of 310 patients, 10.3% had a major stroke within 90 days of first seeking medical attention.