THOUSANDS of people are putting themselves at risk of a stroke by dismissing passing symptoms as just a funny turn’ when in fact they are a suffering a mini-stroke.

A report by the Stroke Association shows only 22% of people experiencing symptoms of a mini-stroke dial 999.

The charity says that if all mini-strokes were treated in time around 10,000 strokes could be prevented annually, and the NHS and care services could save more than £200million.