Act FAST if you see signs of a stroke; Recognising the signs of a stroke could save a life. Health reporter Marie Levy finds out what you should know and talks to a Teesside stroke victim who is learning to live again. Strokes.

Byline: Marie Levy

AROUND 450 stroke victims are admitted to the James Cook University Hospital every year.

Stroke is the largest cause of disability in the UK and the third largest cause of death after heart disease and cancer.

Prompt treatment can help prevent death or major long-term disabilities which is why a new campaign has been launched to increase awareness of the signs and symptoms.

The campaign uses the acronym FAST to educate NHS staff and the public on the signs of stroke and encourages people to call 999 immediately if they spot these signs.

F = Facial Weakness - Can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?

A = Arm Weakness - Can the person raise both arms?

S = Speech Problems - Can they speak clearly and understand what you say?

T = Time to call 999 - Anyone seeing these signs should treat it as an emergency Carol Halton, South Tees stroke services coordinator, said it's so important get help straight away.

"The sooner we can get people to hospital the sooner we can start treatment to save the brain cells from further destruction and reduce the potential of further disability.

"Stroke is an emergency and people should be dialling 999.

"If you imagine it as a fire burning as soon as you have put the fire out it saves the building from destruction and it's the same for patients with a stroke."

She stressed that stroke can happen to anyone, but 40% of cases could be avoided if people adopted a healthier lifestyle - reducing their cholesterol levels by eating a balanced Mediterranean style diet, ensuring they know their own blood pressure and helping to reduce this by reducing salt intake and increasing exercise levels.

"Stroke was predominantly an older person's condition but we are actually seeing younger people coming through the door now.

"It can happen to anybody at any age."

Stroke is the brain's equivalent of a heart attack and is caused by an interruption of the blood supply to the brain.

For many years stroke has been seen as untreatable and as an inevitable part of old age. However, the increased use of thrombolysis and the development of acute stroke treatments have had a positive impact on stroke services.

As well as the acute stroke unit at James Cook, South Tees has 10 rehab beds at the Carter Bequest Hospital in Middlesbrough and eight at Guisborough Primary Care Hospital which are manned by specialist nurses and physiotherapists. Once out of hospital patients are also visited by the community rehab team.

The FAST campaign also educates people on the symptoms of Transient Ischaemic Attacks (TIAs).

Also known as mini-strokes, TIAs develop suddenly and typically last two to 15 minutes but symptoms can stay for up to 24 hours.

Symptoms include:

Weakness or clumsiness of a hand, arm, or leg.

Difficulties with speech.

Difficulties with swallowing.

Numbness or pins and needles of a part of the body.

Brief loss of vision, or double vision.

Carol said anyone who thinks they have suffered a TIA should seek medical attention immediately.

"A TIA is a warning sign and people should act fast. If they are unable to see their GP that day they should go to A & E."

CAPTION(S):

BACK HOME: Stroke victim Dave Pearson with his wife Karen, left, and stroke services co-ordinator nurse Carol Halton