Do YOU know what a stroke is? 1 in 4 adults don't know the signs of the deadly condition and wouldn't ring 999 if they saw someone having one
- Fast treatment is crucial to someone surviving a stroke and recovering fully
- But it can only be given if someone realises it has hit - and calls 999 immediately
- A survey found 24% of adults don't know the signs someone is having a stroke
- Officials say if anyone is displaying any one of three signs they should call 999
One in four people would not call 999 when seeing someone having a stroke because they do not recognise the signs, officials have warned.
Fast treatment is crucial to someone surviving a stroke and recovering fully.
But quick treatment can only be given if someone realises that a stroke has hit - and calls 999 immediately.
A survey has found 24 per cent of people do not know the signs that someone is having a stroke and are unsure when they should call emergency services
An estimated 150,000 people have a stroke each year in Britain.
Of these 40,000 die within a year, and of the survivors, two thirds are left with long-lasting disability, which can include paralysis, speech problems and personality changes.
New polling by Public Health England reveals 24 per cent of people do not know when they should call emergency services.
Officials say if anyone is displaying any one of three signs - a drooping face, failure to lift both arms, or slurred speech - they should call 999.
But many people think they need to wait for all of the signs, or two of them, to be displayed before they call an ambulance.
Public Health England says other people think they need permission from the stroke patient to dial 999, while other feel embarrassed at calling emergency services.
If anyone is displaying any one of three signs - a drooping face, failure to lift both arms, or slurred speech - they should call 999, officials say
Professor Kevin Fenton of Public Health England said: 'Stroke is one of the leading causes of death in the country, and the faster someone experiencing a stroke gets emergency treatment, the more chance that person has of surviving and avoiding serious disability.'
Dr Lasana Harris, experimental and social psychologist at University College London, said: 'We always look to make sense of a situation and even if someone appears to be having a stroke we may worry about causing offence or mutual embarrassment.
'If no one else acts, then we ourselves may not see it as an emergency.
'However, the imagined consequences of action are minor compared to the consequences of inaction when someone is having a stroke, so act first and worry later.'
Juliet Bouverie, chief executive of the Stroke Association, said: 'We know people recognise the signs of stroke but they aren't taking the right action at the right time. A stroke is a brain attack and acting fast makes a huge difference.'
Public Health England today launches a new campaign to raise awareness of stroke symptoms, with a series of adverts to be broadcast nationally.
Radio DJ Mark Goodier, who had a stroke last November, and TV presenter Anna Richardson, whose father had a stroke, tell their personal stories alongside people who have survived stroke - some who have recovered well and others who have been left with life-changing disabilities.
Most watched News videos
- 'Your f****** son!': Man's foul mouthed rant at mother and son
- Woman filmed performing sex act in Florida court house
- Moment police deliberately ram a stolen moped off the road
- Yaser Abdel Said films disturbing home video of his daughters
- Jonathan Ross mentions Beckham's knighthood during 2013 interview
- Girl is thrown from theme park ride and dies in China
- Shocking moment dancer collapses and dies on stage during routine
- Rescued child dances with a pal a year after being left for dead
- Trump awkwardly avoids holding Melania's hand in Florida
- Justin Bieber teams up with T-Mobile for Super Bowl 51 advert
- Teacher and BLM supporter: 'we need to start killing people'
- Video claims to show exorcism of demon-possessed young man
- PICTURED: Prince Harry is spotted holding hands with his...
- Apocalypse island: Tech billionaires are building...
- Trump administration files appeal challenging Seattle...
- RIP brand Beckham: Hacked emails suggest ex-England...
- Kylie is left 'inconsolable' after splitting from wannabe...
- Brave train manager tells a 'drunken racist' solicitor to...
- 'Nice legs. Mmm very nice': Disturbing home video reveals...
- What a gentleman! Bride-to-be Pippa Middleton's fiance...
- Washington breathes a sigh of relief as whirlwind Trump...
- White House vows to immediately reintroduce immigration...
- Revealed: A secret list of Netflix codes that will help...
- Grandmother, 52, who has been married to a British man...