Stroke Awareness

Every year, the Rotary Club of Hucknall , along with our friends from St John’s Ambulance Brigade, organise a Stroke Awareness day encouraging people to have a Blood Pressure test.  Any high readings are advised to seek an immediate consultation with their GP.

The 'silent killer', hypertension, is responsible for strokes and heart attacks and the best way to avoid these unfortunate life-changing experiences is to have regular checks.

But many people fail to do so and the annual Rotary stroke awareness day, held at the Central Methodist Church on Baker Street, gives them a reminder.

Members of the Hucknall and Linby St John Ambulance Brigade were kept busy throughout the two-hour session doing the blood-pressure checks.

Colleagues served tea and coffee and sold cakes and savouries for the visitors to enjoy. Other attractions included white elephant and book stalls, which helped to make the event an enjoyable as well as an essential experience.

Also useful to know about is the Stroke: Act F.A.S.T awareness campaign which aims to educate healthcare professionals and the public on the signs of stroke and that prompt emergency treatment can reduce the risk of death and disability. It encourages people to recognise the signs of stroke and feel confident to phone 999 for an ambulance on detecting any single one of them. Emergency action is as important for TIA (Transient Ischaemic Attack) or ‘mini-strokes’.

When a stroke strikes act F.A.S.T.:
Facial weakness - can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?
Arm weakness - can the person raise both arms?
Speech problems - can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?
Time to call 999 for an ambulance if you spot any one of these signs.