Campaign to raise stroke awareness launched by CHSS

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland and the Scottish Ambulance Service launched a new F.A.S.T campaign to highlight stroke signs on World Stroke Day (October 29).

F.A.S.T stands for F – ace, A – arm, S – speech, T- time. It illustrates three of the common signs of stroke and highlights the importance of quickly contacting emergency services.

This comes after 758 people in Fife had a stroke last year according to local health board data.

Jane-Claire Judson, chief executive officer of Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, said: “Stroke affects thousands of Scots of all ages each year.   

“Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland supports many of those affected by stroke to live full lives. We hear firsthand from those we work with the importance of quick action and access to treatment when symptoms appear.   

“By launching our F.A.S.T. campaign, we want to empower the Scottish public to act quickly and confidently if they think they or someone around them is experiencing stroke.

It is important to act quickly if someone has symptoms of a stroke. (Image: Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland)

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“The quicker the signs and symptoms are recognised, the quicker the phone call is made, the more likely we can save people from significant life changing disabilities and get them the help they desperately need.

"Acting F.A.S.T. could save your life or the life of someone you love.”   

YouGov polling commissioned by Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland revealed that 39% of adults in Scotland were not familiar with F.A.S.T.

This number rises significantly for younger adults (age 18-24) of whom 53% were not familiar with F.A.S.T.

The public awareness campaign is aimed at increasing the correct identification of stroke symptoms and assessment for hyperacute stroke treatments.

Michael Dickson, chief executive of the Scottish Ambulance Service, said: “When we receive a 999 call for someone suffering from a stroke, everyone within the Scottish Ambulance Service will act F.A.S.T.

"From our call handlers to our front-line crew, we work together to reduce time spent on scene to ensure the patient is transported to hospital as soon as possible.  

“We need your help to identify stroke by doing the F.A.S.T. test and by calling 999 as quickly as possible.

"Prior to the ambulance crew arrival, you can help them by ensuring they can gain access to the patient quickly by having them ready to leave and securing pets within another room.

“Please tell the attending crew any information about what happened and the patient's history and medication, this helps us get to the hospital and potential treatments quicker.”