Plans to roll-out a major national programme to improve acute services could avert one in four (25%) stroke deaths – but only if the Irish public recognises when a stroke strikes. This is the latest vital message from the Irish Heart Foundation launching Ireland’s first national Stroke Week starting today (28 March), supported by Covidien, a leading global healthcare company.
Chris Macey, Irish Heart Foundation Head of Advocacy said: “Increased access to clot-busting thrombolysis treatment and stroke unit care has the potential to reduce the annual death toll from stroke – which claimed 2114 lives in 2009 – by up to 25%. But these improved services promised by the HSE, can only have an impact if people know the warning signs of stroke and get into hospital quickly enough to benefit from them. The doctors won’t be able to help you, unless you’ve helped yourself first by spotting the symptoms of a stroke and calling an ambulance.
“With the help of Covidien, we want to empower individuals to reduce their own risk which is why we are urging everyone to Get Stroke Smart and learn more about stroke symptoms and prevention. For example, over 40% of strokes can be prevented through the control of high blood pressure. Lifestyle changes such as drinking in moderation, not smoking, being more active and improving your diet can also have a dramatic impact in lowering stroke risk.”
According to the Irish Heart Foundation, the time window for receiving clot-busting treatment is just four-and-a-half hours after the onset of stroke. But given that the average attack destroys two million brain cells every minute, the quicker a stroke sufferer gets in to hospital, the more of their brain quite literally can be saved.
Speaking about the partnership, Joe Woody, President, Vascular Therapies, Covidien, said: “We're proud to partner with the Irish Heart Foundation for the first National Stroke Week. I encourage everyone to take note of the information available to them during the week and to learn the F.A.S.T warning signs."
To boost the nation’s awareness, the national charity fighting heart disease and stroke has launched a roadshow of free public talks around the country with Covidien’s support, to complement its national FAST awareness drive on Irish TV screens. The public talks in Athlone, Waterford, Limerick and Galway provide a unique opportunity to stroke survivors and their families with access to top experts including stroke consultants and therapists talking about treatments, living with the effects of stroke and how to reduce risk.
The F.A.S.T. acronym was created to help people remember the main warning signs of stroke so they can act immediately by dialling 999:
• Face – has their face fallen on one side?
• Arms – can they raise both arms and keep them there?
• Speech – is their speech slurred?
• Time – time to call 999 if you see any one of these signs.
During Stroke Week, as well as attending free talks, the public can learn more about stroke online at
www.stroke.ie and by having their queries answered through the National Heart & Stroke Helpline on1890 432 787.
Free public talks around the country organised by the Irish Heart Foundation and Covidien:o Monday in Athlone at 6pm – Shamrock Lodge Hotel
o Tuesday in Waterford at 6pm – Woodlands Hotel
o Wednesday in Limerick at 7pm – Limerick Strand Hotel
o Thursday in Galway at 7pm – Radisson Blu Hotel
Almost 60% more women dying from stroke