Each year over 100,000 people will experience a stroke. The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB) alone treats over 500 strokes per year, which is steadily increasing.

In May 2013, the Stroke Team from University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB) held a stand at QEHB to promote Action for Stroke Month, a national campaign organised by the Stroke Association. The campaign raised awareness of strokes and the impact on survivors, their carers and families.

Robert Midgley, Family and Carer Support Co-ordinator for the Stroke Association, discussed the importance of stroke awareness.

“Stroke is the third biggest killer and the leading cause of long term disability in the UK. The impact of stroke is potentially life changing. People need to be aware of the symptoms of stroke so patients can be treated sooner. “

The Stroke Association has re-launched their ‘act FAST’ campaign which helps us recognise the symptoms of a stroke or TIA.

• 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 – Stroke is a medical emergency.

Rachael Jones, Stroke Nurse Practitioner at UHB added, “Time is brain. Even if they are experiencing just one of the symptoms ring 999 as soon as possible. Hospitals can administer a ‘Clot busting drug’ in a procedure called Thrombolysis which breaks down the clot. It is most effective within the first four hours of symptoms so it is really important to act FAST.”

Most strokes occur because of a blockage in an artery leading to the brain, cutting off blood supply, called an ischaemic stroke.

A transient ischaemic attack (TIA), often called a mini-stroke, is very similar to a stroke but the effects are temporary. Symptoms only last for a short time, ranging from a few minutes or up to 24 hours but they should be treated seriously.

An ischaemic stroke can be caused by a blood clot in a main artery to the brain or when a clot from another part of the body is carried in the bloodstream to the brain. As we age our artery walls become thicker and less flexible and a harmful build up of fatty deposits can occur, which makes blockage more likely.

There are a number of risk factors that increase the chances of having a stroke or a TIA including: age (more common as we get older), ethnicity (more common in South Asian and African Caribbean communities) and family history. Certain medical conditions can also contribute to your risk of stroke such as: high blood pressure, an irregular heartbeat called Atrial Fibrillation (AF), high cholesterol and diabetes.

By making positive lifestyle changes you can reduce the risk of stroke and other medical conditions:

• Give up smoking – smoking causes the arteries to narrow and makes blood more likely to clot
• Reduce alcohol intake – excessive alcohol can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of a blood vessel bursting, causing bleeding in the brain
• Eat your five a day – fruit and vegetables contain antioxidants, which reduce stroke risk as it protects the blood vessel walls from damage
• Increase your physical activity – lowers blood pressure, assists with weight loss and alters the balance of fats in the blood.

Remember - If you suspect a Stroke, act FAST. Call 999.