Press release -
Stoke-on-Trent 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 Staffordshire 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
Carol Pickthorne, 46, from Sneyd Green had a stroke in November 2014 and believes the FAST Test could have saved her life. Carol had her first stroke in the summer of 2014, and was having a meeting with her local Stroke Association coordinator, Gemma Millward, at the time of her second stroke. Carol told Gemma that she had been experiencing a serve headache that week, and that her balance had been off. At this point, Gemma realised that as Carol was speaking, something wasn’t right quite with her speech. Gemma immediately carried out the FAST Test with Carol, and realised that she was having a stroke. Gemma called for an ambulance straight away and Carol was taken to hospital.
Carol adds, “Gemma really did save my life the day of my second stroke. When I think back to what was happening, it was obvious that I was showing all the signs of a stroke, but I never pieced it altogether. I now walk with a stick and have limited movement in my left arm but the hospital said getting to them so quickly was the best thing I could have done. I’d tell anyone who thinks they may be having a stroke to act FAST and get help immediately.”
Elaine Roberts, Director of Life After Stroke Services for the Stroke Association in North 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 (14%) of people in the West Midlands 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
Ends
For more information, please contact Daisy Hythe-Clayton, Regional PR and Media Officer at the Stroke Association on 0207 940 1358 or email Daisy.Hythe-Clayton@stroke.org.uk
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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
(i)Opinium Research conducted an online survey of 2,002 UK adults aged 18 and over from 2 – 8 September 2014
