Think FAST during Action on Stroke Month
Strokes claim the lives of around 1,000 people in Northern Ireland every year. It is the third most common cause of death and the greatest cause of adult disability. The month of May is Action on Stroke Month, so the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding people to ‘think FAST’ if they see someone having a stroke.
Dr Brid Farrell, Consultant in Service Development & Screening at the PHA, said: “Stroke is an attack on the brain. It happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off and brain cells are damaged or die. However, your chances of having a stroke reduce if you understand the risks and take action to help prevent it happening.”
You can reduce your risk of having a stroke by:
- knowing and managing your personal risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, atrial fibrillation and high blood cholesterol;
- exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight;
- reducing alcohol consumption;
- stopping smoking.
Dr Farrell added: “However, if the worst does happen and someone has a stroke, knowing the signs and symptoms and acting FAST can improve the chances of survival and reduce the level of disability that results from a stroke.”
The PHA’s FAST campaign raises public awareness of the signs and symptoms of stroke, and highlights actions to take if you think someone is having one, in an easy to remember way:
- Face – Has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile?
- Arms – Can they raise both arms and keep them there?
- Speech – Is their speech slurred?
- Time – Time to call 999 if you see any single one of these signs.
Dr Farrell continued: “Stroke is still one of the biggest causes of death and disability in Northern Ireland. It is important that everyone knows and manages their risk factors for stroke, so that we can prevent strokes happening. It is also essential that we recognise the signs of stroke and take appropriate action FAST.
“A stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention, so recognising any sign of stroke and calling 999 for an ambulance is crucial. The sooner somebody who is having a stroke gets urgent medical attention, the better their chances of a good recovery.”
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