A campaign to reduce the risk of people developing a stroke has been launched today by the Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Dr Tony Jewell.
‘Ask First – to prevent a stroke later’ has been developed to raise awareness that high blood pressure and atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) are serious risk factors and can lead to a stroke. The campaign will encourage adults to visit their GP to have their blood pressure and pulse checked. This will improve diagnosis and make sure people at greater risk of stroke are referred for treatment.
Evidence shows that high blood pressure can increase people’s risk of Transient Ischaemic Attack (temporary interruption of blood flow to the brain) and stroke by as much as 40 per cent. Atrial fibrillation means the blood in the atria – the upper chambers of the heart – does not flow in the normal way and can result in the development of blood clots that can double a person’s risk of stroke.
This campaign stems from the Action Plan for Stroke Risk Reduction developed by Public Health Wales in 2010 to reduce the risk of people developing a stroke. It is a joint campaign with the Stroke Association and will include elements such as posters in bus shelters and pharmacies, radio and TV advertising, and a series of blood pressure and pulse testing events at workplaces around Wales who are part of the Welsh Assembly Government Corporate Health Standard Network.
Health Minister, Edwina Hart said:
“Stroke is the third most common cause of death and the greatest cause of adult disability. The impact of stroke is devastating for a large percentage of stroke survivors and their families as well as putting a huge financial burden on the NHS and community services.
“Currently there are about 7,500 new strokes per year in Wales. It is therefore important that we reduce this number. This campaign will help people to recognise the importance of visiting their GP’s to check for the stroke risk factors and to receive the correct treatment.”
Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Dr Jewell added:
“Through this joint campaign with the Stroke Association we are investing in educating people about the main risk factors for stroke.
“People may not know that high blood pressure or atrial fibrillation can increase their risk of having a stroke and that there are simple and effective ways of detecting and treating their conditions.
“The Ask First, to prevent a stroke later campaign will focus on raising awareness of the main risk factors for stroke and support health professionals to correctly diagnose and treat those risk factors. Investing in educating people about this will help to save lives and will also reduce the pressure on the NHS in terms of treating stroke.”
Ana Palazon, Director of the Stroke Association in Wales said:
“I am delighted to be working in partnership with the Welsh Assembly Government and Caer Health Services on this important stroke prevention issue. It is widely known that a stroke can be caused by high blood pressure but it is less well known that having AF will give you an increased risk of having a stroke.
“We are hoping that our campaign will make people aware of this link and take action if they have any concerns. High blood pressure and AF can be easily detected by asking your GP for a simple blood pressure and pulse check. By running our campaign: Ask First to help prevent a stroke later, we hope to prevent people from having a stroke in the first place. By preventing a stroke, we save the devastation that a stroke can cause on the individual and those around them.”
