Latest news with #StrokeAssociation
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
New way of measuring blood pressure could be a lifeline for thousands of people
England: A new method for enhancing the accuracy of interpreting blood pressure measurements taken at the ankle may be critical for patients who are unable to have their arm blood pressure monitored. New research from the University of Exeter Medical School , analysed data from over 33,000 people to create a personalised predictive model for more accurately estimating arm blood pressure from ankle readings - when compared to previously available methods. The team has developed an online calculator for healthcare professionals and patients to interpret these readings effectively. High blood pressure affects over one billion people globally, increasing the risk of serious health issues like heart, brain, and kidney diseases. It's therefore very important to measure and interpret blood pressure readings as accurately as possible. While blood pressure is typically measured on the arm, sometimes this is not possible due to disability, missing limbs, or problems caused by conditions such as stroke. Blood pressure can be measured at the ankle instead, but these readings are generally higher than arm values. Standard guidelines for treating blood pressure are based on arm readings only, which creates complications in making accurate estimations based on ankle measurements, potentially leading to misdiagnoses. Professor Chris Clark from the University of Exeter Medical School led the study and said: "Our new method will give a more accurate blood pressure reading for around two percent more people. This doesn't sound a big number but remember, around a third of adults have high blood pressure and once you get into your 60s it's more than half of the adults. The NHS Health Check Programme diagnoses 38,000 new cases annually in England alone, so two percent equates to 750 fewer potential misdiagnoses per year in England, and tens of thousands globally." Researchers used statistical modelling on arm and ankle blood pressure readings from 33,710 people (mean age 58 years, 45 per cent female) across the world to help describe the relationship between arm and ankle blood pressures, predict arm blood pressure using ankle blood pressure readings, and predict important health outcomes (such as risk of heart attacks) from ankle blood pressure readings. This research could help address a health inequality by providing accurate and personalised blood pressure measurements for people who previously could not have their blood pressure measured accurately from their arm. It's estimated there are up to 10,000 adults currently living in the UK with upper limb loss, while 75 per cent of the country's 1.3 million stroke survivors have upper limb dysfunction, sometimes making it difficult to measure blood pressure from their arm. Juliet Bouverie OBE, CEO of the Stroke Association, said: "Someone in the UK has a stroke every five minutes, with high blood pressure accounting for around half of those. Around two-thirds of stroke survivors will leave hospital with some form of disability, including paralysis in an arm, which can prevent getting accurate blood pressure readings from the affected limb. Many stroke survivors feel anxious about having another stroke, so receiving an accurate blood pressure reading in the ankle will not only provide benefits in the primary prevention of stroke, but importantly in easing the minds of stroke survivors who are already dealing with the devastating impact of stroke." Professor Kevin Munro, Director of NIHR's Research for Patient Benefit Programme, said: "This research has identified an ingenious solution to an important problem - finding a way to measure blood pressure for people who cannot have it monitored via the upper arm. Keeping track of blood pressure is a vital tool to help keep people healthy and this NIHR-funded research will help to spot high blood pressure and treat it even more widely."
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Charity 'deeply concerned' about hospital's stroke advice
A charity said it was "deeply concerned" after a hospital advised patients presenting with a suspected stroke not to attend its emergency department. Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust said its Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital was "not the most appropriate place" for those experiencing symptoms because it did not have a specialist stroke unit. The trust advised patients to call 999 for an ambulance to take them to Scunthorpe General Hospital instead. However, concerns have been raised by patients on ambulance waiting times. A spokesperson for the Stroke Association said any lengthy wait for an ambulance was "unacceptable" as every minute could shorten the chance of survival. In a social media post on Thursday, the trust said it had seen "a lot of instances recently" of patients arriving at the hospital. The trust said: "This is not the most appropriate place to be seen, as we don't have a hyper-acute stroke unit at Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital. "You should instead ring 999 if you've got symptoms and you'll be taken via ambulance to Scunthorpe General Hospital, which has the necessary facilities. "If you do attend at Grimsby ED, you'll be sent to Scunthorpe via ambulance." The post received criticism from some social media users with a number of individuals questioning what could happen to them if they were taken ill. One person wrote: "Why as a member of the public in a state of emergency should we have to ensure we are heading to the right place?" Others questioned the time taken and distance they would travel to reach the hospital by ambulance. A user wrote: "The trip to Scunthorpe could add an extra 30-40 [minutes] on the journey." Another wrote: "If you live closer to Grimsby then maybe that's the natural place you'd automatically think you should go!" Samantha Jones, associate director at Stroke Association, said they were "hugely grateful" to medical practitioners who were working tirelessly under extreme pressure. She said: "Despite their best efforts, systemic challenges are severely compromising ambulance response and hospital treatment times. "If you spot any of the signs of a stroke in you or someone else, it's vital to call 999 straight away," she said. A spokesperson for East Midlands Ambulance Service said: "Every 999 call is assessed based on the information provided by the caller and people experiencing a life-threatening emergency are responded to as a priority." The NHS Humber Health Partnership said a hyper-acute stroke unit at Scunthorpe General Hospital provides "immediate specialist treatment and high quality care for all stroke patients in our area". The unit at Scunthorpe was opened in 2013 after an NHS report described stroke services in Grimsby as "inadequate", which led to health bosses consolidating treatment onto one site. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Video calls will help treatment for stroke patients Stroke services to shut at hospital Stroke Association NHS
BBC News
06-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Grimsby hospital's stroke advice prompts concerns from charity
A charity said it was "deeply concerned" after a hospital advised patients presenting with a suspected stroke not to attend its emergency Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust said its Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital was "not the most appropriate place" for those experiencing symptoms because it did not have a specialist stroke unit. The trust advised patients to call 999 for an ambulance to take them to Scunthorpe General Hospital concerns have been raised by patients on ambulance waiting times.A spokesperson for the Stroke Association said any lengthy wait for an ambulance was "unacceptable" as every minute could shorten the chance of survival. 'Journey could cost time' In a social media post on Thursday, the trust said it had seen "a lot of instances recently" of patients arriving at the trust said: "This is not the most appropriate place to be seen, as we don't have a hyper-acute stroke unit at Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital."You should instead ring 999 if you've got symptoms and you'll be taken via ambulance to Scunthorpe General Hospital, which has the necessary facilities."If you do attend at Grimsby ED, you'll be sent to Scunthorpe via ambulance."The post received criticism from some social media users with a number of individuals questioning what could happen to them if they were taken person wrote: "Why as a member of the public in a state of emergency should we have to ensure we are heading to the right place?"Others questioned the time taken and distance they would travel to reach the hospital by ambulance.A user wrote: "The trip to Scunthorpe could add an extra 30-40 [minutes] on the journey."Another wrote: "If you live closer to Grimsby then maybe that's the natural place you'd automatically think you should go!" 'Systemic challenges' Samantha Jones, associate director at Stroke Association, said they were "hugely grateful" to medical practitioners who were working tirelessly under extreme said: "Despite their best efforts, systemic challenges are severely compromising ambulance response and hospital treatment times."If you spot any of the signs of a stroke in you or someone else, it's vital to call 999 straight away," she said.A spokesperson for East Midlands Ambulance Service said: "Every 999 call is assessed based on the information provided by the caller and people experiencing a life-threatening emergency are responded to as a priority."The NHS Humber Health Partnership said a hyper-acute stroke unit at Scunthorpe General Hospital provides "immediate specialist treatment and high quality care for all stroke patients in our area".The unit at Scunthorpe was opened in 2013 after an NHS report described stroke services in Grimsby as "inadequate", which led to health bosses consolidating treatment onto one site. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Daily Record
30-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Dumfries woman whose husband had massive stroke backs charity's volunteers campaign
Sheryl Herring regularly visits hospital patients in her Stroke Association volunteer after husband Bruce was given just a five per cent chance of survival in 2017. A Dumfries woman whose husband had a massive stroke is backing a charity's campaign for more volunteers. Sheryl Herring's husband Bruce was given just a five per cent chance of survival following a stroke in 2017. She found out about the Stroke Association and now regularly visits hospital patients and has started a peer support group to help other families in a similar situation. Sheryl is one of just two volunteers the charity has in Dumfries and Galloway and, ahead of Volunteers' Week starting on Monday, she is calling on other people to get involved. She said: 'It was a revelation to find people going through what I'd been through, and I get a lot of support from Stroke Association community connectors whose job it is to signpost stroke survivors and their families to the services and support the charityprovides. 'I feel my experience puts me in a very good position to provide a sympathetic ear and reassure people they are not alone.' Sheryl, a mum of two, worked in health and social care when Bruce suffered a stroke in 2017 at the age of 49. It left him in a coma and he spent 11 months in hospital, being given just a five per cent chance of survival. When he left, he was in a wheelchair and suffered severe bouts of depression. The couple's world was turned upside down, with Sheryl becoming Bruce's full-time carer, and she started to feel the pressure. She had a breakdown and found the friends she used to rely on peeled away. It was a constant battle to get Bruce the help he needed, so she researched what support was available and discovered the Stroke Association and Dumfries and Galloway Carers Centre. Sheryl is now a volunteer for the Stroke Association and visits the stroke ward at DGRI every Monday to tell patients and families about Stroke Association support and what is available in the local area. She also visits Lochamben Community Rehabilitation Unit every fortnight, with her peer support group meeting at Mountainhall in Dumfries on the first Thursday of every month. And she also told Galloway and West Dumfries MSP Finlay Carson about her work and stroke treatment and care in Dumfries and Galloway. The latest available figures show 325 people across the region had a stroke in 2023 and the Stroke Association estimates 60 per cent will be left with some sort of disability, with three-quarters likely to experience mental health issues. The charity is calling for new volunteers to come forward to help provide support, with Sheryl and Newton Stewart-based Stewart Anderson currently their only helpers in Dumfries and Galloway. Associate director for the Stroke Association in Scotland, John Watson, said: 'The number of people having strokes in Scotland is anticipated to rise in the coming years and we've found that more than 50 per cent of Scottish adults have a close personal connection to stroke – whether having had one or seen a close friend or relativeaffected. 'Our volunteers' work is varied and rewarding, with the potential for learning and development opportunities and we would love to hear from anyone who would like to get involved.' The Stroke Association provides a raft of resources and support including on its website and by phone. However, support provided by people who have had experience of stroke is a powerful way to help stoke survivors and their families to adjust to the life-changing condition and the charity is particularly keen to hear from people who have had a stroke, or have supported someone who has, and want to use their experience to help others. Helping can benefit volunteers as well as the people they support as they develop new skills and confidence and feel they are giving something back. Anyone wishing to volunteer with the Stroke Association can contact the charity's engagement team in Scotland at engagementteamscotland@
BBC News
28-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Photographs by Barnsley stroke patients go on display
Nature photographs captured by people who are recovering after suffering from a stroke have gone on display in patients were taught to use cameras and compose different shots to take pictures of the town's Locke Park across the four initiative, developed by the Creative Minds charity alongside the Barnsley Integrated Community Stroke Team and the Stroke Association charity, has gone on display at the Cooper Carr, 58, who took part in the project, said he was proud of group's work and "got goose bumps" when he saw it on display. Betty Eastwood, 89, whose husband John was one of the photographers who took part in the project, said they had both suffered a said she initially found life "very, very difficult" as she recovered."You're lost, you're on your own, and you don't know where you are," she she said things changed with help from the stroke team."They got us to mix with people, got us to go the cafes - they got us out and about," she said."They did what we really wanted to do, which was go out and meet people, instead of just sitting there and becoming a cabbage."She called being involved with the project a "wonderful experience", and added that her favourite part had been "helping one another". Mr Carr said his family had lived near Locke Park during his childhood and it had been "brilliant" to revisit added that photography had also been one of his childhood hobbies."It probably started at 10 years old, my dad would get a new, better camera and I would get the older one," he said."Then I got a big camera for Christmas. It was awesome, and I was pretty good - not being funny or anything like that." 'Boosting confidence' Kirsty Sidebottom, practitioner at Creative Minds, said the project was "not just about taking photos"."It's been about people learning new skills, boosting confidence, meeting up, being social, and getting some exercise - we walked an awful lot of steps around the park," she Richmond Burns, the life after stroke co-ordinator at the stroke team, said: "When people are recovering, they lose their identity and their confidence."A collective project such as this has brought them all together and they've done something they've maybe never done before."She added she was particularly proud of participant Steve Jackson, who had become blind as a result of his stroke, but had still managed to take part with the help of his wife, Association co-ordinator Donna Stringer said the project represented "finding strength through support"."It's brought people together from different areas of Barnsley and they've made new friends," she the exhibition, the photos will be put on display at the stroke recovery unit at Kendray Hospital. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds or catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
