Meeting of the Parliament 21 November 2024
I hear the point that Stephen Kerr is making, but we have to look at everything in the round. If clinicians say that they feel overwhelmed by the use of that terminology, we need to take that into account. I will say more about that.
The situation that I described led in turn to stroke clinicians feeling overwhelmed. Importantly, the symptoms in FAST are specific to stroke—they are unlikely to be anything else. Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland says that the symptoms of posterior strokes, which are more likely to impact eyes and balance, can be mistaken for other things.
Patients need to be triaged effectively to ensure appropriate diagnosis and care. I have heard from my constituents that it took time for their strokes to be diagnosed. In those cases, their symptoms differed from the most common ones.
Although BE FAST may not necessarily be the solution, I am glad to hear that Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland is working with the Scottish Government to expand its education for professionals. That education will include an awareness and understanding of the less common symptoms of stroke that BE FAST incorporates.
The Stroke Association highlights that
“stroke is preventable, treatable and recoverable.”
Indeed, nine out of 10 strokes are preventable. It is also important to raise awareness of preventative measures. For example, two hours of walking per week can reduce the risk of stroke by up to 30 per cent. Two hours of walking a week seems such a small thing to do, but it could have great consequences for people’s health.
Quitting smoking, cutting down on alcohol and eating a balanced diet can all contribute to a lowered stroke risk. Scotland’s 2023—