30/04/2024 15:54:02
Stroke Awareness Month | Health and Social Care
During Stroke Awareness Month, it's crucial to spread knowledge and understanding about stroke, a condition that is the fourth single leading cause of death in the UK and the single largest cause of complex disability. In this article, we explore what a stroke is, identifying symptoms, mitigating risk factors, and understanding both short-term and long-term effects. With a focus on education, awareness, and proactive measures, our aim at Blue Stream Academy is to empower individuals to manage their health effectively and contribute to a world where strokes are less common, and survivors receive optimal support.
What is a Stroke?
The brain needs oxygen and nutrients from the blood to function. When the blood flow to the brain is blocked or limited the brain cells begin to die. This is when a stroke occurs, when the blood supply is cut off usually from a blood clot or bleed. Stroke can present as a numbness or paralysis, slurred speech, confusion or blurred vision. The sooner a stroke is identified, and treatment is given the less damage likely to happen to the brain. Anyone of any age can have a stroke, including babies and children.
Statistics
- Approximately 100,000 people experience strokes each year in the UK - that's around one stroke in every five minutes
- There are 1.3 million stroke survivors in the UK
- Almost two thirds of stroke survivors leave hospital with a disability
- A third of stroke survivors experience depression after having a stroke
- Stroke is the fourth biggest killer in England and Wales and the third in Scotland and Northern Ireland
Identifying Stroke Symptoms
Act FAST
Public Health England have worked closely with Stroke Association, to relaunch the National "Act FAST" stroke campaign.
This campaign highlights that a stroke is a medical emergency and that the symptoms below are to be taken seriously. 999 should be called immediately if you notice any single one of them in either yourself or in others.
Face - has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile?
Arms - can they raise both arms and keep them there?
Speech - is their speech slurred?
Time to call 999 if you see any one of these signs.
The FAST test can identify most strokes, but only helps recognise the most common three symptoms.
Occasionally other symptoms can be present.
These can include:
- paralysis of one side of the body
- lost or blurred vision
- dizziness
- balance issues
- difficulty swallowing
- severe headache
- loss of consciousness.
Contributing Factors
While a stroke can happen to anyone, there are certain factors that can increase the chance of a stroke. It can be important to know these factors in order to make necessary changes to reduce the risk.
Age - people over 65 years old have an increased risk of stroke. Although around a quarter of strokes do occur in younger people.
Smoking - tobacco smoke can damage the walls of blood vessels, leading to the narrowing of arteries. It can also create a stickiness to certain blood cells called platelets, increasing the risk of blood clots.
Alcohol - large amounts of alcohol increases the blood pressure, which can narrow arteries.
Illegal drugs - drugs have different adverse effects on the brain and circulatory system, and all can have severe health repercussions which can cause both ischaemic and haemorrhagic strokes in young healthy people.
Obesity - this increases the risk of high blood pressure or diabetes due to the large amount of fat and saturated fats intake.
Diabetes - diabetes increases the risk of vascular disease (the hardening and narrowing of arteries), it can also increase the chances of high blood pressure and fat build up in the arteries.
High blood pressure - this puts a strain on the blood vessels, creating a higher risk of clots or blood vessels to weaken and bleed.
Heart conditions - heart attacks can increase the risk of strokes. As well as atrial fibrillation which is a type of irregular heartbeat. If the heart doesn’t pump blood correctly it increases the chances of a clot forming, which can travel to the brain causing a stroke.
Ethnicity - people of Asian, African or Caribbean descent are at a higher risk due to a tendency of developing high blood pressure.
Family history - if a family member, like a parent, grandparent or sibling, has suffered a stroke it can increase the risk.
High cholesterol (known as Hypercholesterolemia) - having too much cholesterol in the blood can cause fatty deposits to build up in the arteries. This can make the arteries narrowed and stiff, making it harder for blood to flow. It also increases the chance of a blood clot developing.
Reducing the Risk
Reducing the risk of stroke is about looking at lifestyle changes that reduce the risk of health problems like high blood pressure, high cholesterol or atherosclerosis (arteries clogging with fatty substances). To do this the following areas should be looked at:
diet - reducing salt, sugar and fat intake and sticking to eating a more balanced diet can avoid high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol
exercise - regular exercise can help lower cholesterol and keep the blood pressure low. It’s recommended to do at least 150 minutes of exercise weekly
alcohol - alcohol increases the chance of having an irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation) and high blood pressure. It’s recommended to drink no more than 14 units of alcohol per week, and to keep the units spread throughout the week
smoking - smoking almost doubles the risk of having a stroke. Smoking can increase the amount of fat in the blood making it more likely to clot.
Impacts of a Stroke
The Brain
The effects a stroke will have on the person depends on which part of the brain is damaged. The brain is divided into two halves, each with a different function:
Left Side
- Logic
- Analytical Thinking
- Mathematics
- Language
- Facts
- Reading and Writing
- Speech
Right Side
- Creativity
- Memory
- Imagination
- Spatial Awareness
- Emotions
- Music
- Intuition
All strokes are different. For some people the effects may be relatively minor and may not last long, while others may be left with more serious long-term problems. They can manifest in various ways, causing:
- physical effects
- cognitive impacts
- emotional effects
- communication problems.
Click here to explore the Stroke Association website to discover more about the effects of a stroke.
How You Can Contribute During Stroke Awareness Month
Educate Yourself and Others: Take the time to learn about stroke, its risk factors, and how it can be prevented. Share this knowledge with friends, family, and colleagues.
Raise Awareness: Use your social media platforms to share information about stroke prevention, signs, and symptoms. You can use hashtags such as:
- #StrokeAwarenessMonth
- #KnowStroke
- #TeamStroke
Fundraising for Stroke Association: Get involved with Stroke Awareness Month by signing up for an organised event in person. Or join #TeamStroke and take on one of the national fundraising challenges.
Organise or Participate in Events: Many organisations host events during Stroke Awareness Month. Consider participating in a local event or organise one yourself to raise awareness in your community.
Support Stroke Survivors: If you know someone who has survived a stroke, offer your support. Listen to their experiences and help them in any way you can.
Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices: Many risk factors for stroke, such as high blood pressure, smoking, and a poor diet, are within our control. By making healthy lifestyle choices, you can reduce your risk of stroke and inspire others to do the same.
Final remarks
In conclusion, as we observe Stroke Awareness Month, let's remember that education is the foundation of prevention and timely intervention. By understanding the risk factors, symptoms, and the importance of immediate action, we can make a significant difference in reducing the impact of stroke. Together, through education, awareness, and proactive lifestyle choices, we can strive towards a future with fewer strokes and better support for survivors. Join us in spreading awareness and taking steps to reduce the risk of stroke in our communities.
Interested in Learning more about Cancer Awareness?
At Blue Stream Academy we offer engaging eLearning modules for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) across various sectors, including GP, Health and Social Care, Private and Urgent Care, Aesthetics, Dental, and Hospice.
Stroke Awareness eLearning Module
Overview
Our Stroke Awareness eLearning module aims to increase your knowledge and understanding about strokes, including the impact they can have on people’s lives.
Our ‘Stroke Awareness’ module covers topics including:
- The different types of stroke
- The effects of a stroke
- Rehabilitation
Learning Outcomes
After completing this module, you should understand:
- how a stroke happens
- who is affected by strokes
- how to recognise the signs of a stroke
- the types of stroke
- factors that contribute to strokes
- reducing the risk of strokes
- the effects a stroke has on the body and brain
- the types of therapy offered following a stroke
- who will be involved in stroke rehabilitation.
Learn more about Blue Stream Academy
Click here for more information about Blue Stream Academy and what we offer. Alternatively, contact us via email at info@bluestreamacademy.com or speak with a team member at 01773 822549.