Stroke Association urges people to act FAST

The Stroke Association logo

The Stroke Association has launched a new initiative to help more people affected by stroke receive emergency medical treatment. The charity is calling for people across the North West 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

Chris Larkin from the Stroke Association 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 (13%) of people in the North West wrongly believe a stroke could never happen to them. Sadly, this cruel condition can happen to anyone at any time. The more people who are FAST aware, the more lives we can save.”