Press release -
London stroke survivor backs Stroke Association’s FAST message
Stroke survivor Simon King, 49, from Hammersmith and Fulham,is urging people across London to be aware of the warning signs of stroke, and share the FAST message to help save more lives.
Last June, Simon was watching TV when his left arm suddenly went numb. Simon thought he’d put too much pressure on his arm, but as he got up to go to the bathroom, his lost the feeling in his left leg and had difficulty walking.
Simon said: “At that moment, I just knew I was having a stroke. I remembered the adverts on TV, and knew what was happening.
“I managed to get downstairs to my wife to tell her that I was having a stroke, and ask her to call an ambulance quickly.”
Simon was taken to Charing Cross Hospital and within an hourreceived thrombolysis, a clot-busting treatment. He added: “I’m so thankful to have known about the FAST test, but I want more people to know that there are many other signs of stroke than FAST, and that you don’t have to necessarily have all the symptoms of the FAST test. In my case, my speech was perfectly fine at home whilst I lost movement in my arm and leg.
“I really do believe it saved my life though. I do have some effects following my stroke, mainly memory problems although I am improving, and I’m very aware how fortunate I’ve been to make such a great recovery.”
The Stroke Association is raising awareness of the signs of stroke, calling on people to learn the symptoms, and call 999 as soon as they spot them.
The FAST test helps people recognise the most common symptoms of a stroke and the right action to take:
FACE: Can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?
ARMS: Can the person raise both arms?
SPEECH: Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?
TIME: to call 999
Garry Jopling, Head of Stroke Support at the Stroke Association, said: “Stroke can happen to anyone at any age, at any time, and when it strikes, every second counts.
“We want more people like Simon to learn the FAST test and share it with their friends and family. Knowing how to spot the warning signs of a stroke could save a life.”
To find out more about the FAST test, and the Stroke Association’s work to raise awareness of the warning signs of stroke, visitwww.stroke.org.uk/FAST.