Master Stroke

24/05/2022

13/05/2022

Please make yourself aware of some less well known stroke symptoms and kindly share.

I teach Stroke Awareness to businesses wanting to proactively support their staff's vascular health.

In a recent survey, more than half of us failed to recognise stroke as the fourth biggest killer in the UK. Not only that, but a fifth of people underestimated the lasting physical and emotional effects of stroke - unaware that 50 per cent of survivors rely on carers to complete everyday tasks.

Sam was 40 when she had her stroke during the first week of the Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020. She was at home with her husband and their two sons.

“It was 7.30am in the morning, I was ironing a top for work that day and the room started spinning,” said Sam. “I managed to get to the hallway to call my husband and collapsed on the floor right in front of my then six-year-old’s feet."

Sam was rushed to hospital and diagnosed as having had an ischaemic stroke.

"The biggest thing for me was thinking I couldn’t dance again. It’s all I’ve ever done and I do it for a living. That was the biggest upset. Dance is my outlet."

Sam was able to make a phased return to work as Head of Dance at Didcot Girls' School, and has been back full time since September 2021.

Sam would like to see more research to identify the lesser-known symptoms that could indicate someone is heading for a stroke.

For Sam, she began to experience problems with her vision months before the event, “It would go blurry then go completely. One time it happened in my classroom when I was teaching. The vision would come back after 20 minutes and I would get these horrendous migraines which sometimes would last for days. My vision still goes blurry.

“Maybe research could increase awareness that these symptoms can be an early sign of stroke."

Stroke research remains chronically underfunded in the UK, receiving far less per survivor than any other health condition. To find out more and Support Stroke Research, visit: https://bit.ly/3w62C4q

09/05/2022

Find out about support for people affected by stroke in Wigan and Leigh.

As a carer, have you been affected by stroke?

Stroke Association will be holding an informal session at the Carers Centre, Hindley to offer information about Stroke and what Wigan Stroke Recovery Service can offer to stroke survivors, carers and families.

Whether, as a carer, you are a stroke survivor, or the person you care for has recently experienced a stroke and have been affected in any way and at any age, or you want to find out more about stroke, you are welcome to book and come along.

You will meet staff from the local Stroke Association Stroke Recovery Service, who will be there to help:

Talk about stroke
Identify needs and offer support
Have the opportunity to share your experiences around stroke
Find out about our support with communication following stroke
Find out what support is available locally and nationally and meet the team

📅 Monday 9th May, 2 pm
📍 Wigan and Leigh Centre, Hindley
FREE
Book here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/wigan/wigan-and-leigh-carers-centre/carers-stroke-support-session/2022-05-09/14:00/t-krorjzk

12/04/2022

Is your business Stroke Aware? There has been a lot in the media recently about stroke, from Marlon’s stroke in Emmerdale to Bruce Willis having a communication disability called Aphasia.

My one hour Workforce Stroke Awareness Webinar will raise your team’s knowledge and awareness of what strokes and TIAs are, what causes them, emergency action to take and actions to help to prevent a stroke in the first place.

Sessions are delivered virtually via Zoom or Teams. They’re interactive and include exercises where delegates will consider the impact of stroke on individuals and their families. Included is a course handbook emailed after attendance.

As a follow-on session a few weeks later I can deliver Supporting Communication which is also a one hour session and explains about Aphasia and how to support people who have a communication disability caused by stroke, dementia, acquired brain injury and brain tumours.

So get in touch today, you don’t know what you’re missing.

31/03/2022

Want to improve the quality of care you provide for people who have had a stroke? Our one day face to face Supporting Life After Stroke training course in Leigh, Greater Manchester is open to social care staff working in all settings.

29/03/2022

Isn’t it great when social care staff are able to learn about stroke? These were just some of the questions I was asked recently:
How stroke can affect someone physically and cognitively.
Mental capacity and communication.
Can you push people?
Learn about aids and adaptations.
Signs of stroke in order to act quickly.
Recovery stages.
Refresher.
Communication, why someone can sing but not speak.
Learn about different parts of the brain that can be affected.

And that’s exactly what I taught them!

21/03/2022

A stroke happens suddenly, in the blink of an eye life changes (for everyone involved). Survivors report feelings of stress and shock when it happens, and fear of an unknown new life after stroke. The following organisations offer information and support:

Stroke Association www.stroke.org.uk
Helpline: 0303 3033 100
Email: info@stroke.org.uk
https://www.stroke.org.uk/finding-support/support-services
My Stroke Guide an online forum https://www.stroke.org.uk/finding-support/my-stroke-guide

Different Strokes
www.differentstrokes.co.uk A charity run by younger stroke survivors for younger stroke survivors.
Tel: 0345 130 7172 or 01908 317 618
Email: info@differentstrokes.co.uk

A Stroke of Luck
Opportunity to access fitness professionals’ services to aid recovery www.astrokeofluck.co.uk
Tel: 0300 111 1519
Email: hello@astrokeofluck.co.uk

Master Stroke
Stroke Training for health and social care providers. Stroke Awareness for corporate sector.
www.masterstroke.uk
Tel: 07960 448912
Email: jane.lewis@masterstroke.uk

17/03/2022

Really good explanation about how too much salt causes high blood pressure which is a factor in 54% of strokes 👇

It's Salt Awareness Week and yesterday our stroke group leaders took part in a workshop with LoSalt featuring Dr Sarah Jarvis and stroke survivor and chef Chris King, addressing what the fuss is about salt. We want to spread the word so here are the top takeaways from the workshop.

When there is extra sodium in your bloodstream, it pulls water into your blood vessels, increasing the volume of blood inside them. With more blood flowing through your blood vessels, blood pressure increases. High blood pressure is the single biggest risk factor for stroke.

While some sodium is essential for the body to function, as a nation we eat too much: a lot of salt is hidden in the food we buy. Maximum recommended salt intakes vary globally, but in the UK governmental guidance is that adults should eat no more than 6g salt a day (about a teaspoon). Sadly, current data shows we eat on average 8.4g salt a day - 40% more than this maximum recommended amount.

Top tips for reducing your salt:
❌Cut down on processed meats (like bacon and salami)
🍳 by cooking with herbs and spices, or using a reduced sodium alternative like LoSalt.
🧂Don't be duped by expensive or gourmet rock salts - they contain exactly the same amount of sodium as regular table salt
🍴Read your food labels

15/03/2022

What is a TIA and what should you do?

A TIA (transient ischaemic attack also called a mini stroke) is a medical emergency, the same as a stroke but the symptoms last a short time. You get stroke symptoms because a clot is blocking the blood supply in your brain. When the clot moves away, the stroke symptoms stop.

If you spot the signs of a TIA or stroke call 999. Don’t wait to see if the symptoms pass.

TIA symptoms:
A TIA has the same main symptoms as a stroke. Use our FAST Test infographic to check your symptoms.

You might feel like you’re fine afterwards, but it’s vital to get medical help right away.
Having a TIA is a warning that you are at risk of having a stroke. The risk is greatest in the first days and weeks after a TIA. So you urgently need to find out what caused it, and get advice and treatment to help you stay healthy.

If you didn’t get medical help within 24 hours, get an urgent appointment with your GP or go to an NHS urgent treatment centre. You need to get your symptoms checked as soon as possible. To learn more go to https://www.stroke.org.uk/what-is-stroke/types-of-stroke/transient-ischaemic-attack

09/03/2022

Hey! Check out my first LinkedIn Live Stroke Are You Out Of Touch? recorded today with the lovely Kelly Houston from Club Synergy.

500 million+ members | Manage your professional identity. Build and engage with your professional network. Access knowledge, insights and opportunities.

08/03/2022

Looking forward to talking to Kelly tomorrow on LinkedIn Live. The subject is Stroke: Are you out of touch? Hope you can join us 🙏

500 million+ members | Manage your professional identity. Build and engage with your professional network. Access knowledge, insights and opportunities.

28/02/2022

When was the last time you invested in training to ensure your team would know what to do if someone had a stroke?

If you’re not sure have a chat with us to find out about training options available.