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Learn the signs of a Stroke and save #Precioustime
Today (29 October) marks World Stroke Day and Nottingham Hospitals is lighting up City Hospital and QMC purple to raise awareness of the severity of strokes and the need to act FAST.
This year’s campaign focuses on saving Precious Time, referring to the need to act FAST in the aftermath of a stroke, as well as how that action can improve the quality of life for stroke survivors. When somebody has a stroke, every second that goes by is crucial. As brain tissue and millions of neurons begin to fade away, time could not be more precious.
Nottingham hospitals is home to the Mechanical Thrombectomy procedure (MT), a recent treatment for the most severe types of stroke caused by a blood clot blocking flow in the large arteries at the base of the brain.
Dr Norman McConachie, Consultant Interventional Radiologist and Lisa Mcloughlin Mechanical Thrombectomy Nurse Coordinator, said: “Mechanical Thrombectomy is a time-critical procedure for suitable patients, in which an Interventional Neuroradiologist (INR) uses minimally invasive devices to remove the blood clot, with the aim of restoring normal blood flow to the brain and save brain function that would otherwise be lost. The procedure shows excellent outcomes for patients compared to other therapies enabling a majority to regain independent living.”
Unfortunately, this procedure isn’t available for all stroke patients so it’s vital that people get behind the World Stroke Association’s campaign, #PreciousTime to make give the best possible chance for someone suffering from a stroke.
Knowing the symptoms and signs of a #stroke and acting #FAST can save a person’s life and all the things that make them unique. Learn the signs, Say it’s a stroke.
The NHS act FAST – (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) acronym is a simple test to help people identify the most common signs of a stroke, and emphasises the importance of acting quickly by calling 999:
F ace – has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile?
A rms – can they raise both arms and keep them there?
S peech – is their speech slurred?
T ime to call 999