Torbay Council’s Public Health Team is supporting Public Health England’s annual ‘Act FAST’ campaign, which highlights the common symptoms of stroke and mini strokes and encourages people to call 999 if they notice the symptoms in others or experience them themselves.

Since the Act FAST campaign launched in 2009, an additional 38,600 people have got to hospital within the vital three-hour window meaning that stroke sufferers receive the immediate medical treatment required. This not only results in a greater chance of better recovery, but since the campaign launch over 4,000 fewer people have become disabled as a result of a stroke.

A mini stroke has similar symptoms to a full stroke, except that these symptoms last for a much shorter amount of time. Without immediate treatment, around one in five of those who experience a mini stroke will go on to have a full stroke within a few days.

Early intervention following a mini stroke can greatly reduce the risk of having another stroke. However, while 53% of people surveyed in the South West cite stroke as one of the top three conditions they are most concerned about (compared with 59% at a national level). New research reveals today that only 29% in the South West would call 999 if they experienced the symptoms of a mini stroke (compared with 45% at a national level).

The campaign urges people to Act FAST if they notice any of the following symptoms, even if they disappear within a short space of time:

• Face – has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile?
• Arms – can they raise both their arms and keep them there?
• Speech – is their speech slurred? If they notice any of these symptoms it is
• Time – time to call 999 if you see any single one of these signs

This year’s campaign will also target African and Caribbean and South Asian communities, as findings reveal they are two times likely to be at a risk of stroke.

Cllr Chris Lewis, Executive Lead for Health and Wellbeing, said: “The impressive results from previous Act FAST campaigns show just how important it is that we continue to raise awareness of the symptoms of stroke.

“We know that sadly, far too many people dismiss their early warning signs of stroke and delay calling 999. Stroke is a medical emergency and getting the right treatment fast can save lives.

“Through this latest campaign we hope as many people as possible know how to act FAST and help reduce the devastating impact a stroke can have.”

Ends

Notes to editor:

1. The Act FAST campaign will run nationally from 2 February to 1 March 2015. The campaign will consist of TV and Video on Demand advertising supported by digital search. A separate strand of activity including TV, radio and press advertising will specifically target BME audiences.
2. The Act FAST campaign: 
   • Face – has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile? 
   • Arms – can they raise both their arms and keep them there? 
   • Speech – is their speech slurred? 
   • Time – time to call 999 if you see any single one of these signs
3. Additional symptoms of stroke and mini stroke include 
   • Sudden loss of vision or blurred vision in one or both eyes
   • Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body
   • Sudden memory loss or confusion
   • Sudden dizziness, unsteadiness or a sudden fall, especially with any of the other symptoms.
   • A mini stroke is also known as a transient ischaemic attack (TIA). It is caused by a temporary disruption in the blood supply to part of the brain.
4. Public Health England exists to protect and improve the nation's health and wellbeing, and reduce health inequalities. It does this through world-class science, knowledge and intelligence, advocacy, partnerships and the delivery of specialist public health services. PHE is an operationally autonomous executive agency of the Department of Health. Website: www.gov.uk/phe. Twitter: @PHE_uk, Facebook: www.facebook.com/PublicHealthEngland
5. A stroke is a brain attack which happens when the blood supply to the brain is cut off, caused by a clot or bleeding in the brain. There are around 152,000 strokes in the UK every year and it is the leading cause of severe adult disability. There are over 1.2 million people in the UK living with the effects of stroke. Stroke Association is a charity. We believe in life after stroke and together we can conquer stroke. We work directly with stroke survivors and their families and carers, with health and social care professionals and with scientists and researchers. We campaign to improve stroke care and support people to make the best recovery they can. We fund research to develop new treatments and ways of preventing stroke. The Stroke Helpline (0303 303 3100) provides information and support on stroke. More information can be found at www.stroke.org.uk.
6. In 2013/14 around 7,100 people (2.5% of the population) were diagnosed with a stroke or TIA (mini stroke) in South Devon and Torbay. This is around 2,500 people in Torbay. South Devon and Torbay has a higher prevalence of diagnosed stroke compared to England (1.7%), predominantly due to an older population. It is expected that around 650 people who have had a stroke remain unknown or undiagnosed by their GP in South Devon and Torbay (APHO, 2011). Please see attached diagram.