Catching a stroke FAST saves lives
Someone suffers a stroke every five minutes. It is a devastating condition which is the third commonest cause of death in the UK.
Spotting the signs
There are a number of ways to spot when someone is having a stroke. Here are some signs to look out for:
- Weakness of the face
- Weakness or lack of sensation in the arm
- Changed speech patterns Slurred speech, or difficulty understanding and responding
If you think you or someone near you might be having a stroke
“Time is brain,” says Dr Rudd; “the longer you leave it, the more brain cells die and therefore don’t wait. If you’ve got any suspicion that you might be having a stroke, get somebody to pick up the phone or pick up the phone yourself and dial 999.”
Once having suffered a stroke, it is important the patient receives support and attention from a specialist stroke unit where a team of experts is available to treat and manage the patient’s initial recovery. Hereafter, physiotherapy is one important component of the recovery process which will enable the patient in many cases to gradually regain some or all of their former mobility.
Jim Whyte, who suffered a stroke at work, remembers the lengthy recovery he underwent and stresses that “The one thing you mustn’t do is give up hope.” After spending 27 weeks in hospital, the positive steps Jim made towards his recovery were down mostly to his own perseverance. As Dr Rudd tells New You, ‘The attitude of the patient themselves is absolutely critical.”
In addition to maintaining a positive attitude, stroke survivors are encouraged to keep active. “I try to make sure I do something every day. For example I go swimming, I go to the gym, I come to this Stroke club,” says stroke survivor, Sue Robinson, highlighting one of the most important components of the recovery process: support from peers who have or are going through the same thing as you. Jim too soon realised that, “By getting together with other people, you’ll feel better in yourself and you’ll make other people feel better in themselves as well.”
For more information:
Email the Stroke Association for more information
Or call the Stroke Helpline on 0845 3033 100
