New clues to someone suffering a stroke

RESEARCHERS are raising awareness of two further signs that may indicate someone is having a stroke.

Professor Ross Naylor said the recent NHS FAST campaign had been successful in raising awareness of facial weakness, arm weakness and speech problems as being symptoms of a possible stroke.

But a project by the University Hospital of NHS Trust in Leicester is now hoping to raise awareness of two lesser- known signs – leg weakness and loss of vision.

A survey of 1,300 people in Leicestershire showed that while most were aware of the three main stroke symptoms used in the FAST campaign, just 57 per cent considered leg weakness to be a symptom and 44 per cent loss of vision.

The Department of Health’s FAST campaign highlighted three specific symptoms of stroke: facial weakness, arm weakness, speech problems, and the importance of calling 999 as soon as possible.

But Prof Naylor, who is based at the Leicester Royal Infirmary, said people needed to be aware of all five signs, including leg weakness and loss of vision.

The research was carried out as part of a two-year innovation award funded by the East Midlands Strategic Health Authority.

The team hopes their findings will help to increase patient awareness of the need to seek medical advice should they suffer any of the five signs of a stroke.

Prof Naylor said: “The NHS FAST campaign was very successful, but it’s important that people know leg weakness and loss of vision are also signs to look out for.”