Bid to help people spot stroke signs

A NEW advertising campaign aims to boost a growing public understanding in the Lothians of stroke symptoms.

The health board has teamed up with the charity Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland as part of the fresh appeal.

It is hoped the FAST campaign will encourage people to dial for an ambulance as soon as they see signs of a stroke appearing across a person's face and body.

These are mouth drooping, impaired use of arms and slurred speech.

NHS Lothian's stroke consultant Professor Martin Dennis said: "There has been a huge change in attitude to stroke in recent years, with a growing understanding that it should be treated with the same sort of urgency as a heart attack because rapid treatment can make a huge difference in preventing further damage to the brain and can help someone make a full recovery.

"Delay increases the risk of death or major long-term disabilities, such as paralysis, severe memory loss and communication problems.

"It is vital that the symptoms are not ignored in the hope they will go away."