Press release -
Stockport stroke survivor urges people to act FAST
The Stroke Association today launches a new initiative to help more people affected by stroke receive emergency medical treatment. The charity is calling for people across Stockport to support the FAST Forward campaign by learning the signs of a stroke and sharing the message to help save more lives.
The FAST Test identifies the three most common symptoms of a stroke or mini-stroke and the right action to take:
FACE: 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?
TIME to call 999
Brian Moore, 54 from Stockport, had a stroke at work in September 2014 and believes the FAST Test has made a huge impact on his life. He was working as a self-employed joiner when he felt light headed, disorientated and had pins and needles in his left arm. Recognising the symptoms of stroke from the FAST adverts, Brian asked the owner of the property he was working on if his face had dropped. While it hadn't, his voice was slurred and the owner called an ambulance straight away. Since his stroke, Brian has been unable to return to work and can no longer drive, as his eyesight has been severely affected.
Brian said: “I now have no vision to the left hand side and felt very vulnerable when I attempted to return to work. The effects of my stroke could have been much worse if we hadn’t dialled 999 straight away. I’d tell anyone who thinks they may be having a stroke to act FAST and get help immediately.”
Chris Larkin from the Stroke Association said: “When it comes to stroke, time lost is brain lost. A stroke is caused by a blockage or a bleed in the brain, which cuts off the brain’s flow of oxygen and causes brain cells to die. So recognising the symptoms of stroke and calling 999 for an ambulance as quickly as possible is absolutely vital. Acting FAST can help reduce the devastating impact a stroke can have.
“We know that well over a tenth (13%) of people in the North West wrongly believe a stroke could never happen to them (i). Sadly this cruel condition can happen to anyone at any time. The more people who are FAST aware, the more lives we can save.”
To find out more about the FAST Forward campaign, and to view information and support available, visit www.stroke.org.uk/FastForward
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A stroke is a brain attack which happens when the blood supply to the brain is cut off, caused by a clot or bleeding in the brain. There are around 152,000 strokes in the UK every year and it is the leading cause of severe adult disability. There are over 1.2 million people in the UK living with the effects of stroke.
Stroke Association is a charity. We believe in life after stroke and together we can conquer stroke. We work directly with stroke survivors and their families and carers, with health and social care professionals and with scientists and researchers. We campaign to improve stroke care and support people to make the best recovery they can. We fund research to develop new treatments and ways of preventing stroke. The Stroke Helpline (0303 303 3100) provides information and support on stroke. More information can be found at www.stroke.org.uk
