Shocking results of a recent survey show the lack of knowledge held by residents about how to recognise the signs of a stroke.
The poll conducted by Worcestershire Primary Care Trust (PCT) found that, out of the 600 people interviewed, just under a quarter of people believed a stroke occurred within the lungs or the heart, where in fact, it is the immediate loss of brain cells causing the brain to dysfunction and affecting blood supply to the brain.

The survey was carried out to coincide with the NHS’ FAST campaign so people can recognise strokes quicker and get help to the patient more promptly.

FAST stands for: Facial Weakness, Arm Weakness, Speech Problems and Time to call 999.
Signs to look for including droopy eyes or mouths, the inability to smile, patients being unable to raise both arms and speech problems, such as incoherent talking and the inability to understand what is being said to them.

In total, 85 per cent of residents who took the survey said they would call an ambulance if they noticed one of the four signs of a stroke, but a worrying 12 percent said they would simply give the patient aspirin or refer them to a GP.

Read full article: The Redditch Standard.