Tag: stroke

Stroke: Act FAST!

A stroke survivor is appealing to people to call 999 if they think they’re having a stroke.

The call comes following interim Chief Medical Officer, Dr Gregor Smith’s statement that some hospital wards are “eerily quiet” amid the coronavirus outbreak.  Charity Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland are concerned that people are putting off going to hospital because of the virus and don’t want to be a burden on the NHS. 

Debbie, 44 from Comrie, has joined forces with the charity to remind people that stroke is a medical emergency and that people still need to seek medical attention if they think they’re having a stroke. 

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland is urging people to act FAST and call 999 as soon as you experience symptoms.

FAST is a simple acronym to remind people of the key signs of stroke: 

FACE – Can the person smile, does one side of their face droop?

ARM – Can they lift both arms? Is one weak?

SPEECH – Is their speech slurred or muddled?

TIME – If these symptoms are present, call 999

Debbie Matthew, stroke survivor from Comrie, said: “If my husband hadn’t called 999 so quickly and I hadn’t gone to hospital straight away, I can’t bear to think about what position I would find myself in today. 

“It’s been 4 years since I had my stroke and I can’t believe how far I’ve come. I’m just so thankful that my family were able to get me the help I so desperately needed.

 “FAST has become really important to my family. My son, Finlay, got such a fright seeing me after my stroke that he decided spread the FAST message to local school children.

“Finlay feels that it’s especially important for children to learn the message so that that they know what to do if they find themselves alone with a parent or grandparent who might be experiencing a stroke. 

“Hearing that people might not be seeking emergency help is terrifying, it’s more important now than ever to make sure people know to Think FAST and call 999 if you think you’re having a stroke.” 

Jane-Claire Judson, Chief Executive at Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, said: “Stroke doesn’t stop because of coronavirus; it can happen at any time and anywhere. 

“By the end of today, 25 people across Scotland will have suffered a stroke. The same will happen tomorrow. 

“Coronavirus is at the forefront of our minds right now, but it’s vital that people don’t forget that a stroke is a medical emergency. NHS stroke staff are on-hand to help you and save people’s lives.

 “It is important that people are aware of the signs and symptoms of stroke and phone 999 immediately if someone needs urgent medical attention. 

“These symptoms aren’t something for deliberation, if you see these signs, act FAST and save a life.”

 Scottish Conservative health spokesman Lothian MSP Miles Briggs said: “NHS Scotland have rightly shifted their focus to fighting to Covid-19, but people are still going to get ill and emergency services are continuing as normal.

“It is vital that if you, or someone you are with, is showing symptoms of having a stroke, that you call 999 immediately, to be taken to hospital. The FAST acronym is an easy way to remember the signs of a stroke – Face, Arms, Speech and Time.

“This is an important message, not just for people who are showing signs of a stroke, but for anyone who is having a medical emergency during the Coronavirus outbreak, call 999 immediately.”

New approach to informing stroke research priorities

The Stroke Association is calling on people affected by stroke in Scotland to have their say on what stroke research should be taking place.   

There are over 14,000 strokes every year in Scotland and about 128,000 stroke survivors rebuilding their lives. For the first time, the Stroke Association is funding an ambitious new project to determine the future of stroke research.

The Stroke Association is working with stroke survivors and their carers, health and social care bodies, the James Lind Alliance, Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland and other charities to deliver a set of priorities for stroke research that work best for the people that matter most. 

Andrea Cail, Director Scotland at the Stroke Association, said: “Stroke happens in the brain, the control centre for who we are and what we can do.  It affects people differently, it could be anything ranging from affecting speech and physical ability, to affecting your emotions and personality.

“The good news is that stroke research continues to find new treatments, and also ways to improve how we can help more people live independently in their own home, return to work and rebuild lives.  

“However, we want future stroke research to address the things that matter most to everyone affected by stroke and make the biggest difference to the lives of stroke survivors. Through this initiative we will develop a defined set of research priorities for stroke. But, if we are to be successful, we need everyone in Scotland who has been affected by stroke to engage with this project. 

“If you’re a stroke survivor, or support a loved one who has had a stroke, this is your chance to make your views and voices heard. We invite you to get involved as stroke impacts on so many people in our communities.

“Our survey is open to those closely affected by stroke, from stroke survivors and the family members who support them, to people who work with stroke survivors.”

Ruth Lyle, from Hawick who had a stroke in 2017 and is involved in the project said: “I really welcome the move the charity is making in involving people affected by stroke to come up with a set of research priorities. 

“I took an interest in being a member of the Steering Group because there are certain areas of stroke that I think we need to know more about. All those affected by stroke – not just researchers – should get the opportunity to feed into this piece of work. 

“We need to know what is important to those individuals. I would encourage people affected by stroke to get involved with the JLA project and complete this short survey to tell us what stroke issues matter most to you.”

The Stroke Association has been at the forefront of stroke research for the past 30 years. In Scotland, the charity funded early research into thrombectomy, the game-changing treatment that can gives stroke patients a better chance of living the best life they can after stroke.

The Stroke Association also continues to fund cutting-edge research in Scotland. For example, they are currently funding research into how those affected by stroke can be supported to manage their recovery more independently, as well as research looking specifically at managing the devastating effects of stroke on mental well-being, like depression and anxiety. 

Have your say for stroke and find out more about the James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership at: www.stroke.org.uk/jla.

Your questions can help the Stroke Association and our partners(ii) influence stroke research and answer the questions that matter most to the people affected.

For more information and to have your say visit: www.stroke.org.uk/jla  

Get talking about the JLA PSP on social media using the #MySayforStroke 

Over 14 million UK adults don’t know where a stroke occurs

  • Over a quarter (27%) of the population don’t know that a stroke occurs in the brain – highlighting a lack of knowledge around the UK’s leading cause of disability.
  • Nearly half of UK adults know someone who has had a stroke (20 million people), but most admit to a lack of awareness and understanding needed to support stroke survivors in their recovery.
  • In a separate survey of stroke survivors, more than four out of five (85%) people said the people they had daily contact with did not understand the impact of the stroke.

Startling research unveiled today shows nearly half (45%) of people who know a survivor of stroke personally admitting that they are struggling to support them to make their best possible recovery, according to new findings published today by the Stroke Association.

The research reveals that one important reason for the lack of stroke support for survivors stems from a lack of awareness of what stroke is and how it affects people. Shockingly, more than a quarter (27%) of the public(ii) don’t know where in the body a stroke occurs: the brain. For those that know a stroke survivor, a huge 82%(i) feel that a greater understanding of stroke would help them support the survivor better.  All this, despite stroke being the country’s leading cause of disability.

The research(i) also found that of those who know someone personally who has had a stroke:

  • Nine in 10 (95%) agreed that family and friends play an essential role in the recovery process.
  • Nearly half (46%) admitted wanting to do more to help the stroke survivor that they knew but lacked the knowledge to do so.
  • Nearly a fifth (18%) say they do not properly understand the overall impact of the condition.

In a separate survey (iii) of stroke survivors, more than four out of five (85%) of stroke survivors said the people they had daily contact with did not understand the impact of the stroke. This ‘knowledge gap’ is preventing survivors getting the support they need from those closest to them, and stopping survivors from making the best possible recovery to rebuild their lives after stroke.

Tom Middlemass from Edinburgh had a stroke at the age of 52.  He was at work at the time when it happened. All he remembers is not being able to talk or get up.  He had lost the ability to communicate and wasn’t able to walk.

When the emergency services arrived, he was taken straight to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where he remained in hospital for several days.  Tom couldn’t talk for three days and he had to learn to walk again.

Tom and his wife Joanne didn’t know anything about stroke including the fact it can affect your ability to communicate.  So Joanne had to find ways to help him whilst struggling to grasp the enormity of it all herself. She wrote things down, she tried to encourage Tom to talk, but it was hard to stop herself from finishing sentences for him.

Tom said: “Coming home made me realise just how much my life had completely changed. Everything changed for me: physically, emotionally and financially. I found myself going into deep depression.  I called it my ‘black, evil dog’.

“I couldn’t get out of bed in the morning. My life felt like a tunnel that I couldn’t escape from. There was no light at the other end.  The whole family were aware of it, but didn’t really know what to do and how to help me.”

Joanne, Tom’s wife said: “There’s nothing more distressing than knowing you have to help the person you love get better, but not knowing how to do it. And it wasn’t until Tom starting talking about his depression, that he started to turn the corner.  

“He’s never been one to talk easily about his feelings, but something had to change. Since then, Tom has gained confidence from volunteering with the Stroke Association in Scotland. He still has good days and bad days, but things are definitely better than they were.”

The charity published these findings to mark the launch of its newest campaign, Rebuilding Lives, which aims to showcase the challenges faced by stroke survivors and those who support them with their recoveries.

Other findings reveal the damaging effects that stroke can have on social networks and relationships:

  • More than one in 10 respondents admitted to seeing the survivor less after the latter had a stroke.
  • More than one in six of those who know a stroke survivor, admitted spending less time with them because the latter was perceived as not being the same person following the stroke.
  • A quarter (25%) said there had been a drop in social activity on the part of the stroke survivor.

Juliet Bouverie, Chief Executive of Stroke Association, comments: “A stroke happens in the brain, the control centre for who we are and what we can do. The impact varies depending on which part of the brain is affected.

“It could be anything from wiping out your speech and physical abilities, to affecting your emotions and personality. So, it’s a real challenge for everyone as they come to grips with this sudden and life changing event. These findings highlight the complexity of stroke and raises the desperate need amongst people to understand the impact of stroke in order to better support their loved ones.

“There are over 1.2 million stroke survivors living in the UK of which 124,000 are from Scotland.  Many of those are reliant on their friends and family, from help with daily living to understanding their emotional and mental health needs.  

“It doesn’t have to be this way. We’re urging those people who know someone who has had a stroke, to help turn this around and fill this knowledge gap. Reach out to the Stroke Association for help, so that together we can support stroke survivors to rebuild their lives.”

For more information about Rebuilding Lives or about stroke, visit www.stroke.org.uk/rebuildinglives.

For more information about what you can expect after a stroke, the Stroke Association has partnered with the Royal College of Physicians to produce an easy to read booklet accessible here: https://tinyurl.com/yyqj638z