HSE Urges Cork People to Act F.A.S.T as World Stroke Day Highlights Critical Need for Immediate Action

The HSE is calling on everyone to learn the signs of stroke and act immediately when symptoms appear, as World Stroke Day serves as a stark reminder that every second counts when brain cells are dying. With one in four people at risk of stroke in their lifetime and fewer than half of patients reaching hospital within the critical three-hour treatment window, knowing when to call 999 could save your life or that of someone you love.

World Stroke Day falls today, Wednesday 29 October, and the message from health authorities is unequivocal: if you suspect a stroke, dial 999 or 112 immediately. Hesitation can mean the difference between recovery and permanent disability.

Stroke remains the third leading cause of death in Ireland and the leading cause of acquired adult neurological disability. Over 90,000 people currently live with the effects of stroke across the country, with approximately 7,500 acute strokes occurring each year. Alarmingly, experts predict a 58 per cent increase in stroke incidents over the next decade.

The key to survival and recovery lies in recognising the warning signs. The F.A.S.T acronym provides an easy way to remember what to look for: Face drooping or weak on one side, Arm suddenly weak or clumsy on one side, Speech suddenly slurred or confused, and Time to act by phoning 999 or 112 immediately.

Crucially, you only need one of these symptoms for it to be a stroke. Yet currently, fewer than 50 per cent of stroke patients arrive at hospital within three hours of symptoms starting, missing the critical window for lifesaving and disability-reducing treatments.

Professor Rónán Collins, HSE National Clinical Lead for Stroke, explained the urgency:

"Your brain loses about two million cells every minute it is without oxygen supply. This is why it is very important to try and get people to hospital in time. Every second counts. The second you suspect a stroke is the second you dial 999 or 112."

There is some positive news. Stroke mortality has fallen dramatically from 19 per cent in 2008 to 11 per cent in 2024, while rates of clot-busting treatment have improved from just one per cent to 11 per cent over the same period. Ireland now provides mechanical clot retrieval to 11 per cent of stroke patients, significantly higher than the UK's 3.3 per cent.

The HSE is also publishing a new report today on Early Supported Discharge, an initiative allowing stroke survivors to receive therapy, social work and nursing support at home, enabling earlier hospital discharge. More than 800 stroke survivors benefited from this programme in 2023, with patients more likely to maintain independence and avoid long-term residential care.

Sinéad Coleman, Programme Manager for the HSE National Clinical Programme for Stroke, addressed a common misconception:

"It's a common misconception that only older people can get a stroke. A stroke can happen to anyone. While care and outcomes have improved greatly over the past decade, it remains the leading cause of adult neurological disability in Ireland."

For stroke survivors and their families, the event can be life-changing. The condition occurs when blood supply to part of the brain is cut off by a blockage or ruptured blood vessel, and it can strike at any time.

Stroke unit care is now available at 22 acute hospitals across Ireland, compared with just one in 2008, though one in three patients still cannot be admitted due to bed shortages. Despite these challenges, significant progress has been made, with ischaemic stroke mortality decreasing by 42 per cent since 2014.

If you suspect a stroke in yourself or someone else, phone 999 or 112 immediately and tell them it may be a stroke. Don't wait to see if symptoms pass. The second you suspect it is the second you should act.

For more information on stroke prevention, recognition and treatment, visit www.hse.ie/stroke or listen to the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing podcast.