A new campaign is urging people in Dumfries and Galloway to act FAST if they suspect someone is having a stroke.
Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland and the Scottish Ambulance Service launched a new campaign today – World Stroke Day – to highlight awareness of stroke signs and symptoms and encourage people to act fast when contacting emergency services.
FAST stands for face, arm, speech and time – three of the common signs of a stroke. Last year, 325 people in Dumfries and Galloway had a stroke but a YouGov survey for CHSS revealed 39 per cent of adults weren’t familiar with FAST – and more than half of 18 to 24-year-olds didn’t know about it either.
The charity’s chief executive, Jane-Claire Judson, said: “Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland supports many of those affected by stroke to live full lives.
“We hear firsthand from those we work with the importance of quick action and access to treatment when symptoms appear.
“By launching our FAST campaign, we want to empower the Scottish public to act quickly and confidently if they think they or someone around them is experiencing stroke.
“The quicker the signs and symptoms are recognised, the quicker the phone call is made, the more likely we can save people from significant life changing disabilities and get them the help they desperately need. Acting FAST could save your life or the life of someone you love.”
Nearly 11,000 people in Scotland experience a stroke every year, with around 136,000 people living with the effects of a strike.
The new campaign aims to increase the correct identification of stroke symptoms and assessment for hyperacute stroke treatments for those who require them.
Chief executive of the Scottish Ambulance Service, Michael Dickson, said: “When we receive a 999 call for someone suffering from a stroke, everyone within the Scottish Ambulance Service will act FAST.
“From our call handlers to our front-line crew, we work together to reduce time spent on scene to ensure the patient is transported to hospital as soon as possible.
“We need your help to identify stroke by doing the FAST test and by calling 999 as quickly as possible.
“Prior to the ambulance crew arrival, you can help them by ensuring they can gain access to the patient quickly by having them ready to leave and securing pets within another room.
To find out more about the campaign www.chss.org.uk/fast