45% of people at risk due to slow stroke reaction time - survey

Almost half of Irish people would not call an ambulance immediately if they suffered a stroke, wasting vital minutes that could save lives, new research has revealed.

The Ipsos MRBI survey, which was commissioned by the Irish Heart Foundation and the Government of Ireland, shows that just 55% of people surveyed would dial 999 or 112 straight away.

A new Act F.A.S.T. (Face, Arm, Speech, Time) campaign launched by the charity and Ireland’s fastest woman, international sprinter Phil Healy, warns stroke patients how crucial early hospital treatment is to limit long-term damage.

“On average, 21 people will have a stroke every day, but 10 of them do not know they need to get to hospital as quickly as possible,” said Chris Macey, the Irish Heart Foundation’s Head of Advocacy.

“When someone has a stroke, minutes matter and they cost real lives.

“A stroke kills two million brain cells every minute – and every 60 seconds saved between having a stroke to getting effective treatment saves one week of healthy life for a patient.”

The survey of just over 1,000 people aged 15 and older, shows that ringing an ambulance is the first thing 55% of people would do if they were having a stroke, with women more likely to do so than men.

A further 26% would tell a family member or friend while 5% would contact their GP as their first port of call.

2% of those surveyed would wait and see, try to relax or ignore the symptoms, with males more likely to have given this response.

“While treatments for stroke have improved dramatically over the past decade, they still rely on people getting to hospital as soon as possible after a stroke,” said Mr Macey.

“One of those treatments must be administered within four and a half hours of the stroke, but the HSE’s most recent stroke register shows that roughly four stroke sufferers in every ten don’t get to hospital quickly enough to receive it.

“The register indicates a worrying trend with 59% of people getting to hospital within four hours, whereas in the previous results in 2015, 56% got there within three hours.”

Cork native Phil Healy, who is the holder of the 100m and 200m sprint records and knows the importance of time, is an ambassador for the Act F.A.S.T. Campaign.

“Stroke is one of the few conditions where your own actions and the speed of your response can determine your outcome,” she said.

“As a runner, speed is of the essence for me and every millisecond makes a difference. I have also trained in nursing, and so I am only too aware of the need to act fast in the event of a stroke, to have the best possible chance at recovering.

“I am delighted to support this campaign and get the important message out. Act F.A.S.T is an easy way to remember the sudden signs of stroke – facial drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulties and time.”

Welcoming the launch of the campaign, the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, emphasised the importance of getting to hospital quickly, notwithstanding the pandemic.

“Stroke doesn’t stop during a pandemic and it is as important as ever that if you or someone you know is suffering a stroke, that you call 112 or 999 immediately.

“The faster you get to hospital, the better the recovery can be. Our acute hospitals around Ireland are open and operating safely.

“They have infection prevention measures in place to treat patients while protecting them from Covid-19

“You can trust our dedicated doctors, nurses, paramedics, healthcare workers and all hospital staff. They will take care of you.”

The Ipsos MRBI survey also revealed that a majority of people cite slurred speech as one of the main warning signs of a stroke, followed by facial weakness, the overall FAST message and weakness on one side of the body.

A total of 44% see smoking as the number one risk factor linked to stroke, with excess weight, lack of exercise and poor diet blamed as the other principal risks.

The Irish Heart Foundation’s Act F.A.S.T. campaign starts today (November 23), aiming to spread awareness of the signs of stroke and emphasising the importance of getting to hospital as soon as possible if they are experiencing one.