Heart and stroke charity Croí is reminding the public of the importance of stroke awareness and prevention ahead of World Stroke Day on Saturday.
Croí, supported by Surmodics, will host a special virtual Q&A on the psychological impact of stroke on Thursday, October 27 at 11am.
Senior Clinical Neuropsychologist at University Hospital Galway, Dr Tom Burke, will discuss the psychological impact of stroke during the Q&A event.
There will be plenty of opportunities for those in attendance to ask questions.
To register go to croi.ie/stroke call 091 544310 or via a Zoom link here.
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in Ireland with 2,500 stroke related deaths each year, and it is one of the leading causes of disability and death worldwide.
Annually, around 10,000 people in Ireland have a stroke.
Stroke is the leading cause of acquired disability, and it is estimated that over 80,000 people in Ireland are living in the community with disabilities, as a result of a stroke.
Know the signs and act FAST
Acting FAST increases the chances of survival as urgent treatment can begin.
If you think someone may be having a stroke, look out for the following:
Face: Has the mouth or eye drooped? Can the person smile?
Arms: Can the person raise both of their arms? Is there a weakness in one arm?
Speech: Is the speech slurred? Are they understanding what you are saying?
Time: Call 999 or 112 if you see any of these signs
Other signs to look out for include:
- Numbness or weakness in the face, arm, leg or one side of the body
- Difficulty finding words
- Blurred vision including loss of sight in one or both eyes
- Sudden confusion or memory loss
- Dizziness, a severe headache, reduced balance, or a sudden fall
