Tag: Stroke Association

One symptom of FAST is enough to act on stroke, warns charity

Act FAST on the first sign of stroke, the Stroke Association says. The charity is concerned people are waiting for all three of the ‘FAST’ stroke symptoms to appear before raising the alarm.

In fact, the public should be treating stroke as a medical emergency when any one stroke symptom appears. – most commonly these are Face (F) or Arm (A), or Speech (S). The moment a stroke is suspected, is Time (T) to dial 999.

Face 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?

Adam Henderson, 24 from Broxburn had a stroke at the age of 23, which initially only presented as one symptom. At the time his stroke began, he was in the hairdresser’s and noticed that as people were talking to him, he had started to grunt, and couldn’t speak properly.

Even though he only had one of the ‘FAST’ symptoms at the time, the customers realised something was seriously wrong with Adam. At this point, Adam’s arms and face were unaffected. They called his partner’s mum – a nurse, who immediately knew it was a stroke. Everyone acted quickly to get Adam the treatment he needed.

Adam said: “When I got to hospital, I couldn’t walk. My head was shaking and the need to fall asleep was overwhelming.”

John Watson, Associate Director Scotland of the Stroke Association, said: “There are amazing treatments for stroke which can prevent death and disability. However, there is a short time period to receive treatment.

“That is why immediate action is needed for any one symptom of stroke. Time lost is brain lost. A typical patient loses 1.9 million neurons each minute in which stroke is untreated, which can lead to death or disability.

“As soon as you notice any one symptom of stroke, it is time to take action. Very few people get all three of the FAST symptoms. Dial 999.”

Although Adam initially only had one FAST symptom (Speech), the inability to walk that he later developed can also be a sign of stroke:

The FAST test helps spot the three most common symptoms of stroke. But there are other signs that you should always take seriously. These include:

  • Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, including legs, hands or feet.
  • Difficulty finding words or speaking in clear sentences.
  • Sudden blurred vision or loss of sight in one or both eyes.
  • Sudden memory loss or confusion, and dizziness or a sudden fall.
  • A sudden, severe headache.

When Adam got to hospital, he was quickly wheeled in for a brain scan. The doctors decided that given the seriousness of the stroke, the type of stroke and where it was in the brain that he would be a suitable candidate for clot removal surgery, mechanical thrombectomy.

Adam was a fortunate candidate for thrombectomy, because of the speed people had in spotting his stroke, getting to hospital and receiving a diagnosis quickly. At first, Adam was displaying only one sign of stroke using the FAST test, but thankfully that was enough for those who were with him to raise the alarm.

He was put to sleep and the procedure took 20 minutes. Within ten minutes of coming round, Adam was able to walk again. Having been completely unable to do anything physically before the procedure was performed, the first thing Adam wanted and was able to do, was go and have a shower by himself.

Around one in every three people who receive a thrombectomy following their stroke will be less disabled than they otherwise would have been as a result. Around one in five will be able to function completely independently afterwards.

Thrombectomy is a suitable treatment to save lives and reduce disability for around one in every ten people who have a stroke.

John Watson, Associate Director Scotland of the Stroke Association, said: “Strokes and TIAs [aka mini-strokes] are medical emergencies even if the symptoms appear to get better or go away.

“Treatments for stroke become less suitable over time, so calling 999 as soon as possible leads to the best chance of survival and the best recovery.  Look out for any one sign of stroke using the FAST test and take immediate action. 

“No matter what festivities are happening around you, at this time of the year, or at any other time, do not delay.”

Any symptom of FAST – take action

Do not wait for all three signs to appear. Any of these signs – even one sign – means you need to take immediate action. Time to call 999.

Adam feels very fortunate that his stroke was recognised and treated as a medical emergency. He is now back at work, driving and has returned to his hobbies.

Now he is urging the public to learn how to recognise the signs of a stroke and take immediate action on should they suspect stroke.

“I was very lucky. I got to hospital fast and received this incredible treatment. Not everyone receives that treatment – one reason being the speed of a person able to identify any of the signs of stroke and taking immediate action.

“I know the people with me at the time are glad they recognised my stroke; they would have felt dreadful should it have been missed. “

John concluded: “Knowing the signs and symptoms of stroke needs to be reinforced on a regular basis to the public.

“That is why we are pleased to see a commitment from The Scottish Government in their Stroke Action Plan, to invest in the Act FAST campaign, and continue to raise awareness of the symptoms of stroke. We look forward to seeing this carried out in Scotland as soon as possible.”

Charity urges investment in support to help stroke survivors struggling with hidden effects of stroke

Ahead of World Stroke Day (29 October) the Stroke Association is calling on Scotland’s 14 Health Boards to take immediate action on implementing the Stroke Improvement Plan1 to address the emotional and psychological needs of stroke survivors. 

The charity’s concerns comes after they made a Freedom of Information (FOI) request and found:

  •  Only 7.8 WTE Clinical/Neuropsychologists with protected time for stroke for the whole country.

In addition, the Scottish Stroke Care Audit2 revealed in June this year that:

  •  Not one health board is delivering specialised psychological care. 

This information has come to light, following the publication of our “Keeping Stroke Recoveries in Mind” report in October last year3, which highlighted the unacceptable level of support for people struggling with the psychological consequences of stroke.

From our survey last year, we know that 94% of stroke survivors experienced a mild impact on their psychological wellbeing. For 39% of stroke survivors, the impact on their psychological impact was severe.

Over two thirds of those (68%) did not believe they were receiving the support they needed. There are over 128,000 stroke survivors in Scotland and 10,000 strokes per year.

 Jen Paton, 39, from Paisley, had her stroke last April.  Despite recovering well physically, her emotions were unbearable at times. She said: “I felt scared that I might have another stroke. I was worried about my children, then seven and eight years old. I lay in my bed alone, crying and crying.”  

Even when Jen returned home, she couldn’t get out of bed, wouldn’t socialise, and felt panic-stricken even to visit her dad in hospital: “I felt hopeless, and life felt pointless.”

Jen’s stroke physician noticed the crushing psychological impact of her stroke and referred her to a psychologist.

Jen continued: “My psychologist was a god send. To have a name assigned to the way I had been feeling was such a relief.  I was taught strategies to help with my panic attacks, and the information and advice I was given has helped me to accept the stroke and its effects.

“I got on well with my psychologist.  She listened to me, and I felt like I could talk about all my emotions to her without hiding anything.  She was a safe person to be with.”  

Anxiety, depression, memory and thinking problems can all be part of the psychological consequences of stroke. It can rob someone of their ability to go back to work, socialise and stay in a relationship – never mind stripping someone of their confidence. Some people describe the psychological effects of stroke as worse than the physical effects.  

Last year we called on the Scottish Government to include in its Stroke Improvement Plan a commitment to treat the psychological effects of stroke and physical effects of stroke with parity. 

The charity also called for the Stroke Improvement Plan to include the implementation of the National Model of Psychological Services (NMPCS)4 for stroke in Scotland.

The National Model highlights the need to involve all staff working with people affected by stroke across the pathway to support patients dealing with the psychological consequences of stroke.

John Watson, Associate Director Scotland at the Stroke Association said: “The progress Health Boards are making to improve psychological services is too slow.

“And there is no escaping the fact that delivering the necessary emotional support for people affected by stroke will involve more investment in the workforce, both in recruitment and training.

“The inclusion of psychological support the new Stroke Plan, is an important step, but that aspiration is still a long way from becoming reality.”

The Stroke Association is calling for:

  • Health Boards to deliver the National Model with dedicated support from the Scottish Government.
  • Health Boards to ensure there is an appropriately trained workforce to enable Clinical Psychologists to lead on the implementation of psychological care.
  • The development of an education and training programme for all staff involved in delivering stroke care.

John continued: “Stroke is a clinical priority in Scotland, and it needs to be treated as such.  We will continue to champion the need for improvements in the way stroke psychological care is delivered in Scotland. 

“We owe it to everyone affected by stroke to ensure they get the right support to rebuild their life after stroke.”

‘When the Words Away Went’

STROKE ASSOCIATION talks APHASIA

Nearly half Scots have never heard of aphasia, despite 350,000 people living with the condition in the UK.

  • New research from the Stroke Association reveals a huge lack of public awareness and knowledge of aphasia – a language and communication disorder most commonly caused by stroke
  • Of the Scots who have heard of aphasia nearly one in two (46%) are unclear as to what it is
  • Almost two thirds (68%) of Scots lack confidence in spotting the common effects of aphasia. 
  • To address this and raise awareness of aphasia, the charity has produced a documentary ‘When the Words Away Went’ available to watch on
    stroke.org.uk/film or stream on Channel 4 from Friday 26th May

New research from the Stroke Association reveals nearly half of the Scottish  public (45%) have never heard of aphasia*, despite it affecting over 350,000 people in the UK.

Aphasia is a language and communication disorder – with stroke being the biggest cause. The condition often has a profound effect on someone’s ability to speak, read, write and/or use numbers.  There are 128,000 stroke survivors living in Scotland and over a third (40%) will experience aphasia after their stroke. 

The new research* from the UK’s leading stroke charity highlights that most Brits don’t know about the disorder, and the huge impact it has on people’s lives. Moreover, nearly half (46%) of those who have heard of aphasia are unclear as to what it is.  

To help raise awareness of aphasia, the Stroke Association has launched ‘When the Words Away Went’, a documentary about three stroke survivors living with aphasia embarking on their journey to find their voice and rebuild their lives. 

The documentary aims to equip people with the knowledge, understanding and confidence to support those living with aphasia. Currently, most people (72%) lack confidence in recognising its symptoms and less than half of people (42%) would feel confident in communicating with someone with the disorder.

Whilst aphasia does not affect intelligence, the majority of Scots (68%) think being able to speak or communicate well is a sign of intellect, which can create huge barriers for those with aphasia. In fact, a fifth of adults (20%) also admit that, if they met someone who had problems communicating, they would assume that person had a learning difficulty. 

John Watson, Associate Director Scotland of the Stroke Association said: “Aphasia is very common, affecting over a third of stroke survivors, so it’s disheartening to see such low awareness and knowledge of aphasia amongst the general public. 

“Most of us can’t imagine living with aphasia, but it makes everyday tasks like getting on the bus or talking to a friend daunting, made worse by misconceptions that people with aphasia lack intelligence. This can often lead to anxiety and depression, feeling excluded from society and difficulties with personal relationships.

“We want to encourage everyone to watch our new documentary ‘When the Words Away Went’, featuring stories from three inspiring stroke survivors impacted by aphasia, so the public can better understand the condition and become an ally to those affected. Together we can help make the lives of those living with aphasia a little bit easier.” 

The research also highlights other common misconceptions around aphasia including, over a fifth (25%) of Scots Brits believing that aphasia only affects someone’s ability to talk and one in ten people mistakenly thinking that aphasia can’t improve.

Tom Middlemass, 59, from Edinburgh – featuring in the documentary said: “When you have aphasia, you find people shout at you when they talk to you. You get that all the time.  

“People need to know that those with aphasia are not dumb. There’s a person behind that voice who is struggling. It’s very hard to get these words out. It exhausts you.”

“The Stroke Association is here for everyone affected by aphasia, providing support and an important reminder that there is hope. Aphasia can and does improve, and with the right help people with aphasia can live normal lives.”

Watch the ‘When the Words Away Went’ online at stroke.org.uk/film or stream on Channel 4 now.

To find out more about aphasia and how you can support those affected, visit https://www.stroke.org.uk/aphasia.

Letters: Take on Great North Run challenge for the Stroke Association

Dear Editor

I was honoured and humbled to be given the opportunity to work on Marlon’s stroke journey. It was a complete eye opener into the world of a stroke survivor and I will always be in debt to the Stroke Association and the two amazing stroke survivors who helped show what having a stroke is really like for the 10,000 people who have a stroke every year in Scotland. 

There’s 128,000 stroke survivors in Scotland, and it is still the leading cause of adult disability. Many people don’t realise that the vast majority of strokes – around 80-90% in fact – are preventable.  Stroke is still chronically misunderstood by the public and underfunded in terms of research, which is incredible when you consider those stats.

That’s why I’m asking everyone to get involved in this year’s Great North Run for the Stroke Association

This famous event takes place on Sunday 10 September and although the general ballot is closed, the Stroke Association still has charity places available!

Stroke strikes every five minutes in the UK and it changes lives in an instant. However, with our support, the Stroke Association can help more stroke survivors and their families rebuild their lives after stroke.

For more information and to apply for your place, visit www.stroke.org.uk/events/sporting-fundraising/greatnorthrun    

Thank you,

Mark Charnock

Campaigners raise alarm over Scotland’s high stroke numbers

Responding to the latest annual Scottish Stroke Figures, the Stroke Association has expressed concern that people in Scotland are much more likely to have a stroke than those in the rest of the UK.

The latest data from Public Health Scotland suggests that the incidence rate for stroke (adjusted for age and sex) has decreased by just 2.4% since 2012/13.

John Watson, Associate Director for the Stroke Association, said: “Stroke rates in Scotland are a third higher than for the UK as a whole. We need to see much faster progress if we are to reduce the devastating personal cost of stroke and bring Scotland more in line with its neighbours.

“Worryingly, this report shows that stroke incidence amongst men has actually increased slightly. And those in the most deprived areas are almost twice as likely to be discharged from hospital with a stroke, a gap that has widened in the last year.

“However, there is good news in the report too. Stroke mortality rates continue to decline, indicating that the standard of care and treatment provided by Scotland’s stroke community is helping deliver better outcomes for stroke patients. But even here, there is still much to do.

“We need to see concerted action to address Scotland’s unacceptably high stroke numbers. The Stroke Association is urging greater awareness of and action on atrial fibrillation, a form of irregular heartbeat that greatly increases stroke risk.

“Tens of thousands of people in Scotland are unaware that they have this condition so we urge everyone to check their pulse at home. If it doesn’t feel regular, then go and speak to your GP practice and they can advise on the range of treatments that can dramatically reduce stroke risk.”

2023-01-24-stroke-reportDownload

Three in four people don’t know that an irregular heartbeat is a major cause of strokes

  • Stroke Prevention Day is Thursday 12 January 2023
  • Stroke Association urges people to check themselves for ‘silent’ condition, atrial fibrillation

The Stroke Association and BBC Morning Live’s Dr Punam Krishan are urging people to check for a ‘silent condition’ which is one of the leading causes of serious strokes, after a survey showed that few are aware of the link.

It is estimated that around 35,000 people in Scotland are living with undiagnosed atrial fibrillation1 (AF) where the heart beats with an irregular rhythm. When this happens, the heart won’t empty all of the blood out of its chambers with every beat and the leftover blood can form clots which travel to the brain, blocking off blood flow and causing a stroke.

A survey by the charity to mark Stroke Prevention Day on Thursday 12 January revealed that three in four people (75%) did not know that AF is a major cause of stroke2.

AF is linked to around one in five strokes3 – that’s 40 strokes per day and strokes in people with AF are more severe and are more likely to result in death or serious disability.

John Watson, Associate Director for the Stroke Association in Scotland, said: “It’s worrying that so few people know that a little thing like how your heart beats can lead to a massive stroke. 

“AF often has no symptoms and a stroke can strike without warning. Don’t let the first sign of your AF be a sudden and life-changing stroke. With early diagnosis and effective management of AF, your risk of a stroke dramatically decreases so it’s vital for people to check it regularly.

“It’s really easy to check your own pulse and our research told us that most people are able to. Feel for your pulse on your wrist or neck to make sure it has a regular beat. If you suspect you have an irregular pulse, contact your GP Practice.”

The survey 2 also revealed that:

  • Six in ten (67%) said they had never checked themselves for AF
  • Almost half (46%) said they had never been checked for AF by a healthcare professional
  • More than eight in ten (86%) said they would be likely to seek medical advice if they felt something was wrong with the rhythm of their heartbeat/pulse
  • 62% said they knew someone who had had a stroke
  • 24% knew someone who had had AF

The charity has a video guide on its website at www.stroke.org.uk/spd23 showing people how they can check their own pulse on their wrist or neck.

Alex Trench had a stroke at the age of 52.  Alex ran his own business, a grocer at the time. He describes it as a stressful job. It was a massive stroke leaving Alex unable to sit up, walk or use his arm.  

Only two months earlier, Alex had been diagnosed with AF following a check-up with his GP about another health problem. He said: ““I didn’t know anyone with AF nor did I know anyone who had had a stroke, I was only 52! 

“Whilst I wasn’t given a definitive answer as to the cause of my stroke, I do wonder if AF may have played a part. I have since sold my business, eat healthily and watch my weight to reduce the risk of having a stroke. 

“Importantly, I am now on medication to manage my AF. I would urge people of any age to check their pulse regularly to look out for possible AF. Having a stroke is devastating. I know it.  Please do as much as you can to prevent it.”

 Although Alex still still relies on a delta frame to walk very short distances and struggles to use his hand, thanks to Alex’ determination and support from others, he has made quite a good recovery.   

 “I am really pleased to be ‘giving back’ doing voluntary work for the Stroke Association.”

Dr Punam Krishan, a Glasgow GP and presenter on BBC Morning Live, said: ““The good news is that if AF is identified it can be managed really easily.

“If you’ve got AF, you might be given anticoagulant medication to reduce your risk of stroke by making a clot less likely to form, or you might be able to have a one-time electric pulse to get your heart beating regularly.

“The most important thing is to check yourself and contact your GP practice if you think you might have AF. It’s so much better to get your AF sorted before it becomes a problem. Get it checked for your own health and for the sake of your loved ones.”

Trudie Lobban MBE, Founder of the AF Association, said: “The AF Association welcomes Stroke Prevention Day to help detect more people living with AF, yet to be diagnosed.

“Raising awareness of the importance of pulse checks is key to detecting the irregular heart rhythm and leading to more people being diagnosed and receiving appropriate anticoagulation therapy to reduce their risk of an AF-related stroke. 

“It is good to see the Stroke Association encouraging the public to be pulse aware to know their heart rhythm – this can save so many from the devastation that strokes can cause, it can even save lives.”

Letter: Swap the salt and reduce your risk of stroke 

Dear Editor 

In Scotland, more than five million adults have been diagnosed with high blood pressure. And for every ten people diagnosed with high blood pressure, seven remain undiagnosed and untreated. 

That’s extremely worrying to our charity as high blood pressure is the biggest single risk factor for a stroke. 

Please consider making a New Year’s Resolution to lower your blood pressure, even by a small amount, to help stay healthy in 2023. 

One way to do this is to reduce your sodium intake. Most sodium is in the salt we eat and that’s why we’re proud to support Season with Sense, a public health campaign which aims to drive down consumer sodium intake.

Find out more at www.seasonwithsense.com. 

By making small changes to our diet – such as cutting the amount or type of salt we use – we can greatly reduce our risk of serious health conditions such as stroke. 

We know it can be hard to cut out salt completely, so it’s good to know there are alternatives to regular table, sea and rock salts, such as LoSalt® – which has two thirds less sodium (66%), without any taste compromise.  

When you’re out shopping, look out for the special tubs of LoSalt® on sale in supermarkets. For every tub sold, a 20p donation will be made to the Stroke Association to help fund the vital work we do to support stroke survivors and carers. Last year, the promotional tubs raised a staggering £30,000, all of which helped towards rebuilding lives.  

The tubs will also have information on the FAST test. Face, Arms, Speech, are the most common signs that someone is having a stroke. Time tells you that Stroke is a medical emergency and you must phone 999 straight away. By Acting FAST you could save someone’s life or reduce the likelihood of serious disability. 

Please note that if you take certain types of medication that affect potassium levels, LoSalt® and other reduced sodium salt alternatives may not be suitable for you. This may include people receiving medication for diabetes, heart or kidney disorders. Check with your GP for advice. 

John Watson

Associate Director Scotland, The Stroke Association 

A mistake to cut funding for life-enhancing stroke treatment

Health charities and NHS clinicians have united in a call for the Scottish Government to reverse a cut to the funding of a vital stroke treatment that significantly reduces long-term disability.

More than 150 stroke clinicians have backed a call from charities Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS) and the Stroke Association for the reinstatement of £7m to the national thrombectomy service funding.

An open letter to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care ahead of the Scottish Government budget next week, says the 50% funding cut and a recruitment freeze is a mistake.

The letter says the savings, which amount to less than 0.1% of Scotland’s total health budget, will create far greater costs, when Scots missing out on the “extraordinarily effective” medical treatment end up needing longer hospital stays, community rehabilitation and social care services.

Thrombectomy is a highly specialised procedure that involves physically removing the blood clot in the brain which has caused a severe stroke. The treatment is suitable for about 10% of stroke patients. People are more likely to walk and talk again, return to work and live their lives to the full. 

The Scottish Government has previously committed to rolling out a national thrombectomy service, which would see around 800 stroke patients receive the procedure each year. It is expected to save the health and social care system up to £47,000 per patient in the first five years – a total saving of £37.6m to the NHS.

Ruth Hector, 36, from Stirling said: “I had a stroke at the age of 30. I lost the ability to walk and talk in an instant. I was too young to have a stroke and to feel trapped inside my own body, was scary and hard to comprehend.

“I was taken to The Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh, where after investigations I was able to receive a thrombectomy. After receiving that, I was able to talk perfectly, write and walk around within hours. It felt like I had made a full recovery. I was so thankful for receiving that treatment, I dread to think what it would have been like otherwise.

“I then had another stroke and for some reason wasn’t able to receive a thrombectomy. My recovery has been good with the second stroke, but nowhere near as good as the outcome after thrombectomy.

“I believe everyone should have access to this life saving treatment. My independence is everything. I’m working now, I take part in fundraising events, so truly believe I’m contributing to society and that feels good.”

CHSS and the Stroke Association are jointly calling for the Scottish Government to commit to continuing to fund the service and recruit the staff necessary for a national rollout.

Jane-Claire Judson, CHSS Chief Executive, said: “CHSS and the Stroke Association are united in our plea to the Scottish Government to stand by its commitment to a national thrombectomy service. 

“It is unthinkable that the Scottish Government will deny Scots a treatment we know will make a huge difference to their lives for the sake of a small short-term budget saving.

“Hundreds of Scots who have a stroke each year should be able to trust they will get the best possible medical attention and chance of making a full recovery.” 

John Watson, Associate Director Scotland at the Stroke Association said: “Thrombectomy saves brains, money and lives. It can change the course of recovery from stroke in an instant, and is one of the most effective medical interventions ever developed. 

“We understand the financial pressure the Government is under, but to cut a service that improves patients’ lives while saving money would be a serious mistake. The current resource crisis should lead to thrombectomy being prioritised, not cut.

“That is why we, alongside CHSS and clinicians at the coal face, are calling on The Scottish Government to reinstate its funding for a national thrombectomy service. 

 “The financial savings of having this procedure are undeniably positive, but the potential outcome without it, could have devastating consequences for stroke patients, including severe disability or death.”

Dr Vera Cvoro, Consultant Geriatrician and Stroke Physician, Honorary Senior Lecturer at The University of Edinburgh said: “Thrombectomy is the single most effective treatment we have for stroke. Many patients that come to hospitals with a stroke could benefit from this treatment that prevents disability. 

“This can mean being able to walk again, talk again and even going back to work. We have the expertise to deliver such treatment and it should be available to all people living in Scotland.”

World Stroke Day 2022: Patients falling through the gaps in care

Survey reveals inadequate psychological support after stroke in Scotland

  • 95% reported stroke had an impact on their psychological wellbeing.
  • Most stroke survivors surveyed, do not feel they are getting the osychological support they need both in hospital (73%,) and in the community (68%.)
  • 87% of stroke survivors in Scotland want to see equal access to physical and psychological care within their rehabilitation. 

Stroke survivors with anxiety and depression risk being let down in hospital without psychological care, a new survey of over 100 stroke survivors in Scotland reveals today.

The research, conducted by the Stroke Association ahead of World Stroke Day (29 October), is part of an urgent call for improved psychological care after stroke.  

The results, contained in a Stroke Association report, “Keeping Stroke Recoveries in Mind”, lay bare the unmet needs of stroke survivors in Scotland.  

Nearly nine out of ten (89%) respondents revealed their stroke had an impact on their physical health, whereas 95% said their stroke had an impact on their psychological and emotional well-being.  Of those, over one in three (39%) said the emotional impacts were severe compared to 36% who said the physical effects were severe.

Paula McGuire, 41, from Glasgow, who had her stroke last year, knows first-hand the devastation of the emotional impact of stroke. Whilst Paula suffered mild physical effects from her stroke, she found this more bearable than her anxiety.

She said: “My feelings of anxiety accelerated to levels I had never experienced before. I can only describe it as overwhelming and felt completely lost and alone trying to unpick what was going on, asking myself whether it was my fault.”

Paula’s low mood and anxiety rendered her unable to leave the house and carry on with the everyday tasks which we all take for granted. Going shopping, driving, swimming and meeting up with friends were impossible to undertake.

She continued: “I kept telling myself to try harder and face my challenges. I didn’t understand what was going on and it was very frightening. Fortunately, the nursing staff on the ward identified my low mood and anxiety early on and helped me to understand and process the changes I was facing.”

But some doctors wanted to treat Paula’s physical problems, without taking account of her anxiety. “All I needed them to ask me was: How was I feeling?”

Most stroke survivors surveyed do not feel they got the psychological support they needed in hospital (73%) or in the community (68%.) 

Paula continued: “I was a wreck.  I’d had a stroke at 40. How could anyone cope with that? People should have the same amount and standard of care for their emotional health as is given to those with physical challenges after stroke.  It needs to be embedded into the system.”

95% of stroke survivors report they want to see equal access to physical and psychological care within their rehabilitation.  

John Watson, Associate Director for the Stroke Association in Scotland said: “A stroke happens in the brain, the control centre for who we are and what we can do. The impact can be devastating – wiping out speech or rendering people unable to walk.

“The emotional consequences of stroke can be life shattering – an overnight change to our emotions, personality and sense of self. These findings are further evidence2,3 of the desperate need for the system to address the psychological consequences of stroke.” 

“Whilst guidance on psychological care and assessment and access to services has been included in the Progressive Stroke Pathway4, we know that psychological care is lacking as highlighted in The Scottish Stroke Care Audit5. With support from the Scottish Government, health boards have an opportunity to change that.”

The charity’s recommendations in its report, are based on proposals put forward by the Scottish Stroke Psychology Forum which seeks to give psychological care equal prioritisation to other forms of rehabilitation which focus on the physical effects of stroke.

The Stroke Association is now calling for:

  • The recommendations to be included in the forthcoming Scottish Government’s Stroke Improvement Plan. 
  • Health boards to commit to delivering those recommendations and make psychological and emotional care a priority in stroke rehabilitation. 
  • The Scottish Government to support health boards implement the recommendations – offering appropriate resource as required. 

John continued: “This not just about recruiting more psychologists to treat people affected by stroke. Everyone working with stroke survivors at every level has a role to play in understanding and integrating psychological care into stroke services.

“An adequate level of education and training must be given to staff to meet their responsibility, and give them the skills in providing that care. This is critical to help people with emotional challenges after stroke to live well.”

Dr Jackie Hamilton, Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist on behalf of the Scottish Stroke Psychology Forum said: “Throughout my years of experience working in stroke services I have found that often the focus is on physical recovery in the early period after stroke.

“What is frequently less understood is the impact of ‘hidden problems or challenges’ to achieving best physical outcomes as well as overall outcomes. Psychological care is not just managing anxiety and depression.

“It is also incorporates identifying and managing cognitive impairment and multi-factorial distress, such as the effects of experiencing a traumatic event, fear of recurring stroke, loss of role and identity, and changes to relationships and employment.

“These are all factors which are recognised as significant barriers to rehabilitation and adjustment. As such these should be considered at all stages when working and supporting individuals and their families across their rehabilitation journey.”

Emotional support after stroke survey

Dear Editor

The Scottish Parliament’s Cross Party Group on Stroke – of which we are secretariat, is exploring the current position of emotional support available to people affected by stroke in Scotland. Our aim is to support stroke improvements in this area. 

A vital part of this is to gather the views of people affected by stroke in Scotland.   

We want to know: what support you received?  Was it the right support for you?  

Please have your say by completing out short online survey.

The survey can be found here:

https://forms.office.com/r/YwK8tfR7k1 

The deadline for responses is Monday 3rd October 2022. 

If you have any questions, or would like to be more involved, please contact Katie.macgregor@stroke.org.uk or Tel: 01315557242 

Every stroke is different, each person’s recovery is different, so to your experience matters. 

Stroke Association