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Stroke campaign boosts awareness Stroke campaign boosts awareness
(about 11 hours later)
The number of 999 calls about symptoms of a possible stroke has increased by 70% in England since the launch of an awareness campaign in February. The number of 999 calls about symptoms of a possible stroke has increased by 55% in England since the launch of an awareness campaign in February.
The Department of Health campaign promoted a simple test to recognise the signs of a stroke and act quickly.The Department of Health campaign promoted a simple test to recognise the signs of a stroke and act quickly.
Stroke accounts for 9% of deaths in men and 13% of deaths in women in the UK.Stroke accounts for 9% of deaths in men and 13% of deaths in women in the UK.
But swift emergency action can limit damage in the brain and dramatically increase a person's chances of surviving.But swift emergency action can limit damage in the brain and dramatically increase a person's chances of surviving.
FAST STROKE TEST 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 signsDepartment of HealthFAST STROKE TEST 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 signsDepartment of Health
The Face, Arm, Speech, Time (FAST) test was developed by leading stroke physicians.The Face, Arm, Speech, Time (FAST) test was developed by leading stroke physicians.
It is used by the emergency services to help them detect warning signs of a stroke at the earliest possible stage.It is used by the emergency services to help them detect warning signs of a stroke at the earliest possible stage.
Posters and leaflets promoting the test under the slogan Act FAST were placed in GP surgeries, village halls and libraries, while adverts ran in newspapers and on TV and radio.Posters and leaflets promoting the test under the slogan Act FAST were placed in GP surgeries, village halls and libraries, while adverts ran in newspapers and on TV and radio.
It is part of the government's three-year £100m stroke strategy in England, published two years ago.It is part of the government's three-year £100m stroke strategy in England, published two years ago.
Ministers acted after criticisms that the standard of stroke care was lagging behind other European nations.Ministers acted after criticisms that the standard of stroke care was lagging behind other European nations.
'Big impact''Big impact'
Health minister Ann Keen said: "Stroke is still one of the biggest causes of death and disability in England.Health minister Ann Keen said: "Stroke is still one of the biggest causes of death and disability in England.
"It's important that everyone recognises the signs and realises the importance of dialling 999 as quickly as possible."It's important that everyone recognises the signs and realises the importance of dialling 999 as quickly as possible.
"The faster treatment begins the more we can limit damage caused to the brain."The faster treatment begins the more we can limit damage caused to the brain.
LIFE SAVED Owain Wyn-Jones, 30, from Shropshire, believes the campaign saved his lifeHis fiancee Laraine Adams identified his face dropping and slurred speech as a sign of a stroke, having seen the campaign advertsHe said: "My fiancee recognised the symptoms in me, called an ambulance and subsequently saved my life."LIFE SAVED Owain Wyn-Jones, 30, from Shropshire, believes the campaign saved his lifeHis fiancee Laraine Adams identified his face dropping and slurred speech as a sign of a stroke, having seen the campaign advertsHe said: "My fiancee recognised the symptoms in me, called an ambulance and subsequently saved my life."
"The Act FAST campaign has clearly had a big impact already and I hope more people will now see it and learn when to act fast and save lives.""The Act FAST campaign has clearly had a big impact already and I hope more people will now see it and learn when to act fast and save lives."
Joe Korner of the Stroke Association said the campaign appeared to have a real impact.Joe Korner of the Stroke Association said the campaign appeared to have a real impact.
He said: "The more people that recognise stroke symptoms and get emergency treatment the better.He said: "The more people that recognise stroke symptoms and get emergency treatment the better.
"Calling an ambulance and getting to hospital immediately can make all the difference for stroke survivors."Calling an ambulance and getting to hospital immediately can make all the difference for stroke survivors.
"For many, this prompt action will substantially improve their quality of life.""For many, this prompt action will substantially improve their quality of life."
Blocked arteryBlocked artery
Strokes cost the NHS around £2.8bn a year - nearly £1bn more than heart disease.Strokes cost the NHS around £2.8bn a year - nearly £1bn more than heart disease.
Every year in the UK, an estimated 150,000 people have a stroke. Around 300,000 people are living with moderate to severe disabilities as a result of a stroke.Every year in the UK, an estimated 150,000 people have a stroke. Around 300,000 people are living with moderate to severe disabilities as a result of a stroke.
Around one in four strokes occurs in people who are under the age of 65.Around one in four strokes occurs in people who are under the age of 65.
The National Stroke Strategy says patients with a suspected stroke should have a brain scan as soon as possible to determine if it was caused by a blocked artery or a burst blood vessel.The National Stroke Strategy says patients with a suspected stroke should have a brain scan as soon as possible to determine if it was caused by a blocked artery or a burst blood vessel.
They should also be given clot-busting drugs where appropriate.They should also be given clot-busting drugs where appropriate.
But only a small minority of UK stroke patients reach hospital and undergo CT scanning within three hours, which is necessary if these drugs are to be given.But only a small minority of UK stroke patients reach hospital and undergo CT scanning within three hours, which is necessary if these drugs are to be given.
The data was taken from a comparison of nearly four months' calls to seven ambulance trust regions between 2008 and 2009.The data was taken from a comparison of nearly four months' calls to seven ambulance trust regions between 2008 and 2009.