CAV UHB staff pledge 7,400 miles for Stroke Awareness Month
For Stroke Awareness Month, Cardiff and Vale UHB Stroke Unit staff and patients have pledged to run, walk or cycle 7,400 miles in May. Each mile will represent one of the 7,400 stroke cases that occur in Wales annually. The team aims to raise £7,400 for the Stroke Association and are encouraging other staff, patients and the public to join in the challenge and donate whatever they can afford.
In 2018, stroke was the 5th leading cause of death in Wales, with 2070 deaths resulting from strokes. That year, nearly 68,870 individuals in Wales were recorded as having had a stroke.
The majority of cases occur in those over the age of 65 years, but strokes can happen at any age, including in children, although this is much rarer.
The challenge and Awareness Month are particular timely as new research has suggested there is an increased risk of having a stroke if you have Covid-19.
The major difference over the last 12 months, has been fewer people coming to hospital early enough to receive treatment and minimise long-term effects due to fear of developing COVID-19.
Dr Benjamin Jelley says, “Due to this more people were not eligible for clot-busting treatment because they arrived outside of the 4.5 hours treatment window. We would really encourage people to be aware of the FAST campaign and to seek urgent medical help if features suggest a stroke.”
The FAST campaign urges us to think and act FAST on the following signs of a possible stroke:
Face – has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile?
Arms – can they raise both their arms and keep them there?
Speech – is their speech slurred?
Time – time to call 999
Along with a healthy diet, regular exercise is key to reducing the chances of having a stroke. The 7400 challenge for May’s Awareness Month is the ideal motivation to up your activity levels.
Physiotherapist James Hinder, who works in the Stroke Unit, says: “The more people who get involved and do some physical activity because of this, the better. Thirty minutes of exercise, five days a week, reduces your risk of ischemic stroke by 25%.”
James is keen to use the challenge to boost awareness of strokes and the work the Stroke Association does in many different areas of stroke care. “I wanted the challenge to be ambitious and difficult to do. The message is #1stroke1mile1pound. By aiming to represent every new stroke in Wales, we’re underlining the message that ‘Every Stroke Counts’ and therefore every mile and every pound counts also.”
The challenge has inspired an impressive number of Stroke Unit professionals and patients to get involved. “We all strive every day to work towards a common goal of what our patients want to achieve. When we come together, we can achieve amazing things.”
In particular, James wants to highlight the potential of stroke survivors to carry on being active and engaged. “Physical activity and exercise is not exclusive to ‘fit people,” he says. “Being physically active is something everyone can reap the benefit from.”
To find out more and contribute to fundraising for the Stroke Association, visit https://www.justgiving.com/team/CAVUHB