JOYCE WATSON AM is supporting Stroke Awareness Day on 13 May 2008 and urging people to act FAST to recognise a stroke and take prompt action.
Mid and West Wales Labour Assembly Member JOYCE WATSON AM said:
“I am supporting Stroke Awareness Day by asking people to take a minute to learn the signs of a stroke.
“If a stroke is recognised in time it can make a huge difference to its impact. We all know how devastating stroke can be for sufferers and their families.”
Stroke is the leading cause of severe adult disability and the third biggest killer in the UK. Stroke Awareness Day is held by The Stroke Association each year to raise public and media awareness of stroke, including prevention information, risk factors and symptoms.
Every year, an estimated 150,000 people in the UK have a stroke. Most people affected are over 65, but anyone can have a stroke, including children and even babies. More than a quarter of a million people live with disabilities caused by stroke.
High blood pressure remains the biggest risk factor for stroke and 40 per cent of strokes could be prevented if more people were aware of their high blood pressure and received treatment.
There are a range of measures you can take to reduce your chances of high blood pressure and therefore your chances of having a stroke:
- if you smoke, give up
- if you drink alcohol, drink sensibly and do not exceed the recommended daily intake which is 2-3 units a day for women and 3-4 units a day for men
- eat a balanced diet including plenty of fruit and vegetables
- reduce the amount of salt you eat by avoiding processed foods
- take more exercise and generally be more active during the day
- get your blood pressure checked regularly by your GP
- reduce your stress levels.
If you suspect that someone is having a stroke act FAST to recognise a stroke when it's happening and take prompt action.
Look for three specific symptoms of stroke:
Facial weakness - can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?
Arm weakness - can the person raise both arms?
Speech problems - can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?
Test all three symptoms.
If the person has failed any one of these tests, you must call 999. Stroke is a medical emergency and by calling 999 you can help someone reach hospital quickly and receive the early treatment they need.
Facts about stroke
- Every five minutes someone in the UK has a stroke.
- A stroke is a brain attack. A stroke happens due to a clot or bleed in the brain, which causes brain cells to die.
The signs of a stroke are:
- Facial weakness
- Arm or leg weakness
- Speech problems
- A loss to half of the visual field
- These signs may only last a few hours (called a Transient Ischaemic Attack - TIA) but must not be ignored
- A stroke is an emergency. If you see the signs of a stroke act FAST and call 999. Early treatment saves lives and increases the chance of making a better recovery.
- Stroke is the third biggest killer and a leading cause of severe adult disability in the UK.
- Almost one in four men and one in five women aged 45 can expect to have a stroke if they live to 85.
- More than three times as many women die from stroke than breast cancer in the UK.
- For every £50 spent on cancer research and £20 on heart disease research, only £1 is spent on stroke research.
- Eating healthily, taking more exercise, not smoking and ensuring blood pressure is normal, can all help to prevent stroke
For further details contact The Stroke Association, the national charity solely concerned with helping everyone affected by stroke.
12th May 2008
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