Study: Stroke awareness campaign saving lives

STROKE-related hospital admissions increased by almost 90% following the launch of a public awareness campaign about Ireland’s third biggest killer disease, a study shows.

It also found that almost 60% more stroke victims got to hospital in time to receive potentially life-saving thrombolysis treatment during the first phase of the campaign last year.

The FAST Campaign, launched by the Irish Heart Foundation in May last year, focused on the key symptoms of stroke — facial drooping, an inability to raise arms and slurred speech.