Yesterday was Annual World Stroke Day, which aims to raise awareness of the symptoms of a stroke and the need to #ActFAST.
One in four people is at risk of a stroke and it is important to know the signs and what to do as any time lost can be detrimental to being able to fully recover
A stroke happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off, depriving brain cells of oxygen. This can be due to a blood clot (ischaemic stroke) or a bleed in the brain (haemorrhagic stroke). Strokes are a medical emergency — every minute counts.
Remember the acronym BEFAST:
- B – Balance: Is there sudden loss of balance or coordination?
- E – Eyes: Have they noticed sudden blurred or double vision or loss in one or both eyes?
- F – Face: Has one side of the face drooped?
- A – Arms: Can they raise both arms and keep them up?
- S – Speech: Is their speech slurred or strange?
- T – Time: If you see any of these signs, it’s time to call 999 immediately.
Quick action can save a life and reduce long-term disability and with early treatment and rehabilitation, many people recover and regain independence. Support from healthcare professionals, family, and community services plays a vital role in recovery.
Many strokes can be prevented by managing key risk factors:
- Check your blood pressure regularly – high blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke.
- Adopt a healthy lifestyle: eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and avoid smoking.
- Manage long-term conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol, and atrial fibrillation.
- Limit alcohol intake and maintain a healthy weight.
To mark World Stroke Day, the trust’s Stroke team had a stand in reception at Eastbourne DGH, with healthy snacks and ginger shots on offer. Visitors and colleagues were also able to get their blood pressure checked and ask any questions they had to the team.
Wendy Mills, Head of Care Group for Cardiovascular said:
“The trust proudly marked World Stroke Day with an informative and engaging awareness event focused on stroke prevention and education. Over 90 blood pressure checks were carried out throughout the day, with most participants being staff members keen to learn more about their health and wellbeing, which is a huge improvement on last year.
The event received fantastic support from Consultants, doctors, Stroke Specialist Nurses, Stroke Nurses, and ward staff, whose contributions helped make the day a great success and to Emily Millard, Service Delivery Manager who coordinated the event. This year, Five a Day, the Thursday green grocer kindly donated some fruit. We were also delighted to have a Stroke Association representative present, providing valuable resources and expert guidance.
A huge thank you to everyone involved for their enthusiasm and support in raising awareness and promoting stroke prevention across the trust.”
To learn more about stroke symptoms visit here.