Ahead of World Stroke Day, healthcare professionals in Lancashire and South Cumbria are urging the public to know the signs as “every second counts”.

World Stroke Day is on Saturday 29 October and the local NHS is taking this opportunity to spread awareness of the serious nature of strokes.

The theme for World Stroke Day is #PreciousTime – a campaign launched by the World Stroke Organisation which reinforces the message that minutes can save lives.

Dr David Levy, the chief medical director for NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board said: “This campaign is hugely relevant for Lancashire and South Cumbria, where many stroke patients are seeking help too late to benefit from lifesaving or disability-reducing treatments. When someone has a stroke, every second counts.

“As brain tissue and millions of neurons begin to fade away, time could not be more precious. This is why it’s really important to get behind the World Stroke Organisation’s #PreciousTime campaign.

“The sooner we can treat a patient, the better chance they’ve got of surviving and making a good recovery.”

Over 13 million people worldwide will have a stroke each year, and about 5.5 million people will die as a result. Patients who survive may lose their ability to speak, move or remember. Through campaigns like #PreciousTime, healthcare professionals want to help more people make good recoveries from stroke, maintain their independence, and preserve their precious memories.

Health and care partners across Lancashire and South Cumbria will be supporting the message to act ‘F.A.S.T.’ to save lives.

F.A.S.T. stands for ‘Face drooping – Arm weakness – Speech difficulties – Time to call 999’.

It is vital to remember that:

• A stroke could happen to anyone at any time and is caused by either a block in a blood vessel that leads to the brain or by bleeding in or around the brain. Information can be found at www.stroke.org.uk/what-is-stroke/what-are-the-symptoms-of-stroke
• It is the fourth largest single cause of death in England. One in four stroke patients die.
• There is a stroke programme across the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care System. It aims to:
  • work with the population of Lancashire and South Cumbria on improving awareness of stroke and the lifestyle choices that can reduce the risks of experiencing a stroke.
  • To deliver high-quality, safe, evidence-based treatment and care to those who have experienced a stroke or are at increased risk of experiencing a stroke in the future.

The World Stroke Organisation has produced a ‘Minutes Saves Lives’ YouTube video for the campaign. The video explains why every minute matters when someone has a stroke.

For more information on World Stroke Day you can explore the World Stroke Organisation website.