World Stroke Day highlights continuing need for rapid assessment and transport of stroke patients by paramedics

At the time of printing, we will just have had World Stroke Day on Thursday 29 October 2015. World Stroke Day was established by the World Stroke Organization in 2006 to underscore the serious nature and high rates of stroke, raise awareness of the prevention and treatment of the condition, and ensure better care and support for survivors (American Heart Association, 2015). This event is part of the continuing efforts to raise awareness and knowledge of stroke among the general public and healthcare professionals.

The focus of World Stroke Day this year is on how stroke affects women, as one in five women will experience a stroke during their lifetime as opposed to one in six men. Not only do women have a higher lifetime risk but they also account for the majority of stroke deaths (Seshadri et al, 2006; Seshadri and Wolf, 2007; Bushnell, 2008). Stroke is the third leading cause of death for women in the UK and kills three times as many women as breast cancer (The Stroke Association, 2015). Women may be at higher risk but stroke is a condition that can affect men and women at any time in their life. An information leaflet describing the stroke risk factors for women and listing support sources is available at: http://bit.ly/1XJrruO.