Increasing awareness

There is no doubt that efforts to increase stroke awareness have improved in recent years, with the main focus surrounding the annual F.A.S.T campaign - first launched in the UK in 2004.

In the first 4 months of the campaign, the number of emergency calls related to stroke increased by 55% in the UK, and it seems the campaign has had continued success. In the 2 months after the hard-hitting F.A.S.T television campaigns ran in 2011, England’s NHS saw a 24% increase in the stroke-related emergency calls, and there was a 16% rise in the number of stroke patients receiving faster medical attention.

Because of the impact the F.A.S.T initiative had in the UK, it has now been adopted over many countries. The ASA have even launched a free F.A.S.T mobile app for iOS and Android.

But aside from media campaigns, what else is being done to raise stroke awareness?

In 2011, the US Department of Health and Human Services launched the Million Hearts campaign - a national initiative that aims to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes across the country by 2017.

Medical News Today recently reported on the first US guidelines for stroke prevention in women, set by the AHA/ASA, after a review of a series of studies found that certain risk factors for stroke are much more common among women than men.

The AHA/ASA also launched a Together to End Stroke campaign - an initiative that aims to educate all Americans that stroke is preventable, treatable and beatable.

Of course, all of these initiatives help in the battle against stroke. But what more can be done? Dr. Holmes says there should be more community-based services required for individuals who are at risk of stroke:

But for now, the main focus is on ensuring the general public are aware of stroke warning signs and symptoms.

“Prevention is the best cure, but in the event of a stroke emergency, quick recognition and treatment may have a dramatic impact on the outcome,” says Dr. Mark Turco, chief medical officer of Covidien Vascular Therapies, who sponsor the Together to End Stroke campaign.

“If you are at risk for stroke or spend time with someone who is, learning and sharing the stroke warning signs should be a priority.”

To find out more about stroke and how you can help increase awareness of the condition, please visit the American Stroke Association website if in the US, or the Stroke Association website if in the UK.

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Written by Honor Whiteman