Stroke victims put at risk by a failure to act on symptoms
AROUND 800 stroke victims each year are in danger of death or disability due to a drop in the number of patients getting blood clot treatment quickly enough.
Just 60% of patients reached hospital within the crucial 4.5-hour window for breaking up a clot in 2020 – compared to 73% six years earlier, an analysis of HSE data by the Irish Heart Foundation shows.
The latest Irish National Audit of Stroke, out today, will confirm a further decline in 2021 – which the charity calls ‘shocking and avoidable’.
Separate research by the IHF shows that fewer people recall the vital FAST – face, arm, speech and time – warning signs despite the recent advertising campaign.
Professor Rónán Collins, the HSE’s national clinical lead for stroke, said: ‘We need to encourage people to learn about the signs of stroke and to act as fast as possible in calling an ambulance, as the faster the presentation to ED, the better the outcomes from acute treatment.’ He spoke at the IHS’s ‘Act FAST – Minutes Matter’ campaign yesterday in a bid to reverse the trend.
‘Delays in presentation undo much of the progress we have made with stroke treatments and improving outcomes and can result in extra disability or even death,’ he added.
‘We want people to fundamentally realise that your chances of recovery after what might be a very serious event are better the sooner you call an ambulance and present for treatment.
‘Delaying or “waiting to see”, for whatever reason, often leads to regret.’
The average stroke destroys around two million brain cells every minute, with the condition killing 1,423 people in Ireland in 2021 and leaving more than 6,000 in hospital.
The IHF’s director of advocacy, Chris Macey, said the reduction in prompt stroke treatment and the charity’s new Ipsos research on knowledge of the FAST signs show a ‘low public awareness’ of the need to get to hospital without delay.
The survey of more than 1,000 adults shows facial weakness or drooping is the most commonly recognised sign at 35% – down from 41%.
Slurred speech is identified by 16%, down by two percentage points; arm weakness or numbness is at 14%, down four points; and awareness of the most vital component, time to call 999, stands at just 12%. Also, only one in ten know what FAST stands for.
‘This is both shocking and avoidable, especially the reduction in people getting to hospital on time,’ commented Mr Macey.
‘People are needlessly dying or suffering disability by stroke, which is one condition where you can have a massive say in your own outcome.
He continued: ‘20 years ago, having a stroke was effectively a death sentence, but if we’re not getting patients into hospital on time, we are turning the clock back.’
Prof. Collins added that the development of the clot retrieval treatment thrombectomy, plus further improvements in stroke services planned under the National Stroke Strategy, mean the impact of timely arrival at hospital is increasing.