Reminder on World Stroke Day to always act FAST
Date published:
On World Stroke Day, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has encouraged people to focus on sport to help reduce the risk of stroke.
World Stroke Day is held on 29 October each year and is an opportunity to raise awareness of the serious nature of stroke and discuss opportunities to improve outcomes for stroke survivors and carers through prevention, assessment, treatment and long-term support.
The Minister said: “The theme for World Stroke Day 2024 is channelling the emotional power of sport to drive stroke awareness and to motivate us all to take action every day to reduce our stroke risk.
“With busy lives, it’s often hard to find time to look after your health and wellbeing. But just 30 minutes of exercise five times a week can reduce your risk of stroke by 25%. Exercise plays an important role in reducing several stroke risk factors. By taking action as a community we can be #GreaterThan stroke.”
There are over 12m strokes world-wide and approximately 3,000 strokes in Northern Ireland annually. Up to 90% of strokes are preventable. Dr Ivan Wiggam, Interim Clinical Lead, Northern Ireland Stroke Network, said: “World Stroke Day is focusing on sport to drive stroke awareness and to motivate us to adopt healthy lifestyles and manage risk factors for stroke. It is important that we increase awareness of how individuals can reduce their risk of stroke by:
- knowing and managing risk factors for stroke such as high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat (i.e. atrial fibrillation), diabetes and high blood cholesterol
- stopping smoking
- taking regular exercise
- maintaining a healthy weight
- reducing alcohol consumption
“Knowing the signs and symptoms of a stroke and acting FAST can improve the chances of a good outcome and reduce the level of disability after stroke. Even if symptoms are mild, dial 999 immediately.”
The Stroke Action Plan identifies six priorities to improve stroke services and achieve better outcomes. The implementation of the Action Plan is being taken forward by the Department of Health and the Northern Ireland Stroke Network.
Minister Nesbitt added: “I have been clear that I want to see a future in which people are supported with the right information and help to stay well, with a greater emphasis on preventing illness. On World Stroke Day, I hope that people will reflect on how sport can provide us with the opportunity to reduce the risk factors associated with stroke, helping us to live longer, more active and healthier lives.”
Notes to editors:
1. World Stroke Day is held on 29 October each year. The annual event was started in 2006 by World Stroke Organisation (WSO) which declared stroke a public health emergency in 2010. World Stroke Day is an opportunity to raise awareness of the serious nature and high rates of stroke, talk about prevention and treatment, and ensure better care and support for survivors. More at www.world-stroke.org
2. Follow the F.A.S.T approach, if you notice even one of these signs call 999.
- Face - Has it fallen on one side?
- Arms - Can they raise them?
- Speech - Is it slurred?
- Time - make the call immediately, Dial 999
3. For further information: www.nidirect.gov.uk/stroke and www.pha.site/ActFAST
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