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It is very difficult to predict which people are likely to have further problems. In general about one in 10, or 10 per cent, of people will have a stroke during the first year after a transient ischaemic attack. This is the highest risk period - after the first year the risk drops to about one in 20, or five per cent. Of course, a stroke will not necessarily be severe and the symptoms might disappear completely. Transient ischaemic attacks which are frequent and which last more than a few minutes are of most concern since they are associated with a greater risk of stroke.

People who have had a transient ischaemic attack are also at greater risk of having a heart attack or coronary thrombosis.