Article: Dean - Stroke Victims Too Slow to Call 999

Dean's Stroke Musing

Completely the wrong title. Blaming the victim mentality. RantOn NHS not researching possible therapies that can save trillions of neurons in the first week after a stroke. Call the news team and demand a retraction. I've even conveniently compiled 162 options  for you to give to them Hyperacute Options for Stroke. Point them to these dozens of possibilities needing research. You need to make a fuss about this, no one else is doing their job. RantOff
         -- Dean's Stroke Musing.

People who are suffering a stroke are too slow to dial 999 even if they recognise the signs of the potentially deadly condition, according to new research.

Every year 150,000 people in the UK have a stroke and if they receive clot-busting drugs within the first few hours their chances of a full recovery are much greater.

But a paper published in the PLOS One journal showed patients delayed calling the emergency services.

Researchers investigated the reason for people's reluctance and found fear and denial were factors, while others did not want to "make a fuss".

Contacting their family, friends or GP before ringing 999 delayed some stroke patients' journeys to hospital for treatment.

The findings from interviews at three acute stroke units in the North East showed some patients had knowledge of the condition from seeing it in TV shows and adverts.

The widely-publicised Act FAST campaign had raised awareness of stroke in some patients, but did not necessarily increase any sense of urgency, particularly if they experienced symptoms different from those highlighted in the campaign.

Martin White, professor of public health at Newcastle University and lead author of the paper, said: "People need to know that you may get some or all of the symptoms, and maybe not in the same order. If you suspect yourself or someone else is having a stroke you should call 999 straight away so life-saving treatment can be given."

Co-researcher Joan Mackintosh, research associate at Newcastle University, said: "Every minute counts and delayed treatment means patients are more likely to lose their independence, with consequences for themselves and their carers.

"Even a slight delay, for example calling your GP instead of calling the emergency services straight away, can have a big effect. The message has to be, dial 999 if any of the symptoms of a stroke appear, even if it's not all of them."

See the original article Stroke Victims Too Slow to Call 999
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