PREVENTION is always better than cure.
And the same goes for catching strokes before they happen.
GettyExperts have urged Brits to take a test for a ‘silent’ heart condition which causes strokes[/caption]
Over 100,000 people suffer a stroke every year in the UK and they’re responsible for over 38,000 deaths.
And even for the 1.3 million Brits who have survived a stroke – many living with disabilities.
Experts have urged Brits to take a test for a ‘silent’ heart condition which is one of the leading causes of serious strokes.
Atrial fibrillation is common heart rhythm condition in the UK, affecting around 1.6million people.
People with the condition have irregular heartbeats that are often very fast.
AF is linked to around one in five strokes, according to the Stroke Association.
And strokes in people with AF are more severe and are more likely to result in death or serious disability.
Juliet Bouverie OBE, of the Stroke Association, said: “With early diagnosis and effective management of AF, your risk of a stroke dramatically decreases so it’s vital to get checked regularly.”
“It’s really easy to check your own pulse and our research told us that most people are able to.
“Feel for your pulse on your wrist or neck to make sure it has a regular beat.
“If you suspect you have an irregular pulse, contact your GP Practice.”
A survey, conducted by the association found six in ten Brits (62 per cent) said they had never checked themselves for AF.
How to test for atrial fibrillation
trial fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm condition in the UK, affecting around 1.6 million people. And here is how to test for it:
Feel for your pulse on your wrist
By using a timer, count how often the beats come (it should be between 60 and 100 beats per minute)
If you suspect you have an irregular pulse contact your GP
Source: The Stroke Association
“It’s worrying that so few people know that a little thing like how your heart beats can lead to a massive stroke,” Juliet added.
“AF often has no symptoms and a stroke can strike without warning.
Don’t let the first sign of your AF be a sudden and life-changing stroke.”
What are the symptoms of a stroke?
The FAST method – which stands for Face, Arms, Speech, Time – is the easiest way to remember the most common symptoms of stroke:
F = Face drooping – if one side of a person’s face is dropped or numb then ask them to smile, if it’s uneven then you should seek help.
A = Arm weakness – if one arm is weak or numb then you should ask the person to raise both arms. If one arm drifts downwards then you might need to get help
S = Speech difficulty – if a person’s speech is slurred then this could be a sign of a stroke
T = Time to call 999 – if a person has the signs above then you need to call 999 in the UK or 911 in the US for emergency care.
Other symptoms include:
sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the bodydifficulty finding wordssudden blurred vision or loss of sightsudden confusion, dizziness or unsteadinessa sudden and severe headachedifficulty understanding what others are sayingdifficulty swallowing
If any of these symptoms occur for less than a few hours, you could be suffering from a transient ischaemic attack (TIA).
This attack, which is sometimes known as a “mini-stroke”, indicates that there is a problem with the blood supply to your brain.
It’s important to contact your GP or local hospital if experiencing these symptoms, as they could increase your risk of stroke in the near future.