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National stroke awareness campaign launched

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH News Release issued by COI News Distribution Service. 9 February 2009

- Think 'FAST' to identify signs of stroke -

Stroke is the third most common cause of death in the UK. Each year, 150,000 people have a stroke and of those, 67,000 people die. Stroke can happen to anyone, young or old, at any time. In fact, 25 per cent of people who have a stroke are under retirement age.

Stroke is an attack on the brain. It spreads like fire, rapidly damaging brain cells. Like a fire, stroke must be treated as an emergency. The faster you recognise stroke and react to it, the more of the brain you can save.

Natalie Ellis, 41, from Leigh-on-Sea was at work when she suddenly felt her hands and toes go numb and her vision blurred.

'My heart was pulsating and I was sweaty and clammy. I felt heavy and my fingers and toes on the right side of my body seemed to go numb. I was desperate to get outside, to gulp down fresh air, but I couldn't move. I knew, even if I managed to stand up, I wouldn't make it to the door.'

The Department of Health is launching a three-year £12 million awareness campaign to help the public to recognise the signs of stroke, using a simple test called FAST:

Facial weakness - 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 - if the person shows any one of these signs, call an ambulance.

Using a series of adverts on TV, radio, in print and online, the campaign will help people learn FAST and understand that prompt emergency treatment can dramatically increase the chances of survival and reduces the risk of disability.

Luckily for Natalie, a colleague recognised the signs of stroke and got her to hospital within half an hour where she was treated quickly and made a full recovery.

''I still get forgetful sometimes but I'm one of the lucky ones, I was treated quickly. If more people recognised the signs of stroke, then more stroke survivors would be as lucky as I am.'

Improving public awareness of the signs of stroke is a key element of the Government's National Stroke Strategy, published in December 2007.

Stroke is the single largest cause of adult disability in England. The term 'stroke' describes a loss of brain function due to a blood clot or bleed in the brain. Direct stroke care costs the NHS £2.8 billion a year, and the wider economy a further £1.8 billion in income and productivity losses as a result of disability.

Professor Roger Boyle, National Director for Heart Disease and Stroke, said:

"Stroke spreads like a fire in the brain - the sooner you get to treatment and put the fire out, the less damage is caused to the brain.

"The faster a stroke patient receives emergency treatment, the better their chances are of surviving and avoiding long-term disability."

Ends

Notes to Editors

1. For exclusive case studies and stroke survivor stories, please contact Stephanie Blott on 0207 618 9165

2. For further information please contact the Department of Health newsdesk on 0207 210 5221

3. For more information on the National Stroke Strategy, visit: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyandguidance/dh_081062

4. When the Stroke strategy was launched a year ago, it was announced that £45 million would be allocated to Local Authorities over the next three years (2008 - 2011) to improve stroke care for adult stroke survivors and their carers in the community.

5. To meet the commitment made in the Stroke Strategy to provide specialist stroke care, £16 million has been allocated to fund training for one stroke specialist physician in each Strategic Health Authority.

6. Stroke statistics:
- Stroke is currently the third leading cause of death in the UK and the single largest cause of adult disability in England
- An estimated 150,000 people have a stroke in the UK each year
- There are over 67,000 deaths due to stroke each year in the UK
- Stroke is the third most common cause of death in England and Wales, after heart disease and cancer
- Stroke accounts for 9 per cent of all deaths in men and 13 per cent of deaths in women in the UK
- Stroke has a greater disability impact than any other chronic disease. Over 300,000 people are living with moderate to severe disabilities as a result of stroke
- The direct cost of stroke to the NHS is estimated to be £2.8 billion. The cost to the wider economy is £1.8 billion. The informal care cost is £2.4 billion
- The total costs of stroke care are predicted to rise in real terms by 30 per cent between 1991 and 2010
- Stroke patients occupy around 20 per cent of all acute hospital beds and 25 per cent of long term beds
- Stroke units save lives: for stroke patients general wards have a 14% to 25% higher mortality rate than stroke units
- Each year over 130,000 people in England and Wales have a stroke. About 30,000 of these are under retirement age

7. For further information and statistics on stroke, contact The Stroke Association at:

Stroke House, 240 City Road, London, EC1V 2PR
Phone: 020 7566 0300
Fax: 020 7490 2686
Textphone: 020 7251 9096
http://www.stroke.org.uk

For further information on stroke, the Stroke Helpline is on 0845 3033 100 (calls charged at local rate) and is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Email: info@stroke.org.uk or write to: Stroke Information Service, The Stroke Association, 240 City Road, London EC1V 2PR