Each year, stroke kills around 30,000 people in our country. According to statistics, it is the third cause of death after heart disease and cancer and the first cause of permanent disability for Poles over the age of 40. Every 6.5 minutes someone in Poland suffers a stroke, which means that more than 220 people are affected by the disease every day. It can occur in anyone - at any age, in any place, at any time, including in times of pandemic. That is why On the occasion of World Stroke Day 2020, major patient organisations and scientific societies active in the field of stroke are sharing with Poles with a special message under the slogan 'STROKE ALERT' and encourage them to pass it on with the hope that as many people as possible will learn what the symptoms of a stroke are and how to react when they occur. Actor Jacek Rozenek, who suffered a stroke last year, was once again involved in the educational campaign. This year, the Polish Lifeguard Association also joined the group of partners.
LET (YOU) SAVE YOURSELF!
The motto of this year's "Impact Alert" is "Let (yourself) be saved". The organisers want to draw the attention of Poles to the fact that knowing the symptoms of a stroke, calling an ambulance immediately and knowing what information to give to the dispatcher when calling 999 or 112 can save our life or that of another person who suffers a stroke.
- An immediate call to the emergency services and the provision of specialist assistance has a direct impact on the patient's subsequent fate. The smoother the medical interview during the call, the faster the patient will receive help. During the interview, the caller should listen attentively to the dispatcher and follow his instructions - the entire rescue operation depends on this. - points out Ireneusz Szafraniec, President Elect of the Main Board of the Polish Association of Medical Rescuers. - It is important that the person calling for medical assistance reports 3 basic information: what are the symptoms, who needs help, where is the sick person - adds
– A stroke comes unexpectedly. It is impossible to prepare for it and under no circumstances should you underestimate the signs that may inform you of it - says Jacek Rozenek, an actor who suffered a stroke. - I was very lucky that someone who was a complete stranger was concerned about my behaviour, that they recognised the symptoms and called an ambulance immediately. I decided
engage in a "SHOCK ALERT" campaign precisely because I experienced for myself how important it is to assess carefully and react immediately. In addition, I learnt from my own example how much hard work it takes to overcome the consequences of a stroke - explains the actor.
YOU NOTICE SYMPTOMS - REACT IMMEDIATELY!
- With "Stroke Alert" we are encouraging Poles to remember the basic symptoms of a stroke by simply expanding the acronym of the word UDAR: U - speech impaired, D - hand/hand falling, A - lip asymmetry, R - react immediately! Call 112 or 999! - says Sebastian Szyper, President of the Stroke Association - It's the support that counts! - We have prepared the "SHOCK ALERT" message this year in various forms: as graphics that can be shared via MMS or social media, for example, as well as in the form of short video and audio spots. "Stroke Alert" will also be noticeable through educational graphics placed on buildings in 3 cities in Poland (at 4 Sobieskiego Street in Warsaw, at 4 Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński Avenue/Kamienna Avenue/Aleja Armii Krajowej in Bydgoszcz and at Henryka Sienkiewicza Street/Marsz. Józefa Piłsudskiego and Drewnowska Avenue in Łódź). Together with all partners of the STOP STrokes social campaign, we would like to invite you to familiarise yourself with and share the "Stroke Alert".
PASS ON A MESSAGE THAT COULD SAVE LIVES
- We invite everyone to pass on the "Stroke Alert" to their loved ones.so that the warning about the dangerous disease of stroke reaches and is remembered by as many people as possible. A quick response is what counts. If the patient gets to a hospital stroke unit in time, he or she has the chance to avoid the serious consequences of the disease - explains Włodzimierz Krzysztof Dłużyński, MD, Chairman of the Board of the Brain Stroke Foundation. Mitigating the effects of a stroke can be difficult and lengthy, requiring a lot of patience and self-denial. Rehabilitation is of great importance in recovery, but medical help is necessary to start it at all. The sooner it arrives, from the moment the symptoms are recognised, the better the chances of limiting the patient's disability in the future.
For more information about STOP STROKE ALERT (graphic message, audio spot, video spot and other educational materials), visit the STOP STROKE public awareness campaign website. www.stopudarom.pl and FB-stop-udar profile. #alertudar
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WORLD STROKE DAY celebrated each year on 29 October, was established by the World Stroke Organization to build awareness of the disease, which is the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of permanent disability in adults. On this day, all over the world, specialists in neurology, rehabilitation and other areas of medicine publicise the issue of stroke at special events, happenings, conventions and conferences.