Today is World Stroke Day 2013. It marks the worldwide campaign to fight stroke and is a concept of the World Stroke Campaign (www.worldstrokecampaign.org).
According to the World Health Organisation and other leading stroke experts, stroke claims 5.8 million lives each year – that’s more people than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis put together. To put it another way, it claims a life every 6 seconds.
Stroke can affect people of all ages, even children in rare cases. Would you know how to recognise if someone was having a stroke? There is a helpful way of remembering the key symptoms and signs to look out for. You need to think and act ‘FAST’.
Face: Can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?
A person who has had a stroke may have drooping of their mouth or eye on one side.
Arms: Can they raise both arms?
A person who has had a stroke may not be able to raise one of their arms.
Speech: Can they speak clearly and understand what you say?
A person who has had a stroke may not be able to speak clearly, follow your instructions, or understand what you say.
Time: To call an ambulance using 144/112 if the person fails any one of these three things.
The FASTer you act, the more of the person you save.
If you are interested in learning more about stroke, its symptoms, and the First Aid for stroke (including how to put an unconscious person into the Recovery Position), join our CPR for Adults course taking place in central Geneva on Monday 4th November from 18:00-21:30. For more details, visit our website: https://healthfirst.ch/shop/
Posted by Dr Michelle Wright
