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Greater stroke awareness is vital as the population ages, writes Angela Macleod

Following the publication of the Burden of Stroke report last month, researchers have warned that throughout Europe, the number of strokes could rise dramatically by 2035 due to our ageing population.

As more of us live longer lives, more Scots are going to be affected by this devastating event.

Stroke is already Scotland’s third biggest killer and our leading cause of disability. It affects thousands of people every year, many of whom then need to rely on help with everyday tasks for the rest of their lives.

We need to do more to tackle the burden of stroke, and change the story.

Already, the Stroke Association, alongside our supporters, works towards preventing stroke, raising awareness of stroke and supporting people who have had a stroke.

The drive to raise awareness increased significantly this past month when individuals, groups and organisations across Scotland came together to Make May Purple.

Make May Purple was a month of purplethemed fun with a serious purpose – raising awareness of stroke and stroke prevention. It’s still not appreciated by enough of us that a stroke can happen to anyone of any age, and the vast majority of strokes are preventable.

Educational institutions, local authorities and businesses held Know Your Blood Pressure events in May to raise awareness of high blood pressure and its link to stroke.

We were thrilled to see support from our politicians. At Holyrood, a third of all of our MSPS got involved by wearing purple.

We also had purple bake sales, purple buildings and purple marathon runners.

We’d like to thank Highland, Aberdeen and Dundee Councils, the SSE Hydro, Historic Scotland and Scottish Canals for lighting up in purple their buildings, bridges and sculptures. Thank you too to the Botanical Gardens in Edinburgh, Dumfries and Galloway and Argyll who showed their support with purple flower displays.

Stroke Association Speakability group members took part in our Step Out for Stroke Walk in and put on an art exhibition in Perth raising awareness and vital funds. Thank you all so much. We hugely appreciate your involvement and support.

The problem of stroke isn’t going to go away, and with more of us living longer lives is set to increase.

In May, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health launched revised childhood stroke guidelines to improve the standard of care for children who have had a stroke. Around 400 children a year in the UK have a stroke.

As all of this amazing purple activity in May draws to a close, the need to fight and raise awareness continues and I’d like to end by thanking 14-year-old Brenna from Aberdeenshire. Brenna had a stroke two months ago. She was treated quickly and, I’m really happy to say, is recovering well.

Along with her mum Kathleen, Brenna spent a whole day last week talking to the media, telling her story and emphasising the importance of Fast – the simple way to recognise if someone may be having a stroke. Fast can save a life.

If you don’t know what it is, head to our website now – www.stroke.org.uk langela Macleod is communications manager (Scotland) of the Stroke Association. For more information, call the Stroke Helpline on 0303 3033 100