Stroke should receive higher priority and faster treatment, according to new clinical guidelines

People who have strokes should be identified and treated more quickly for better recovery, The Stroke Association announced today in support of updated clinical guidelines on stroke care published by this week.

The guidelines, from the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), provide health professionals with recommendations on the 'best practice' for stroke care, and were developed by a multidisciplinary group on the basis of clinical evidence and in consultation with stroke patients and their carers.

They suggest faster diagnosis and treatment of 'mini' and full strokes than is currently the norm. More aggressive treatment strategies to prevent further strokes are also recommended, including controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels, both risk factors for the condition.

For the first time, the guidelines discuss the treatment of Transient Ischaemic Attacks (TIAs) or 'mini strokes'. The symptoms of TIAs last for less than 24 hours and are very similar to stroke. However, 20% of TIA patients go on to have a full stroke within a month. This makes the prompt recognition of TIAs and appropriate treatment vital.

The RCP recommend that patients with a suspected TIA should be seen at a specialist clinic within seven days and receive preventative stroke treatment immediately. Only a fraction of general hospitals are currently able to offer such a service. On the basis of research funded by The Stroke Association, TIA patients who could benefit from a surgical procedure, known as carotid endarterectomy, should preferably receive surgery within two weeks of a TIA for maximum benefit. Currently most patients who could benefit from the procedure have to wait several months.

Rehabilitation techniques, such as speech and occupational therapies should be administered by a specialist team and tailored to the needs of individual stroke patients, as they come to terms with the long-term effects of their condition. A more involved role in decisions on discharge and transfer to the community by patients and their carers is also proposed.

"These updated guidelines on stroke care from the Royal College of Physicians address the needs of stroke patients and their carers at all stages of their condition, " commented Dr Joanne Knight, Associate Director of Research and Development at The Stroke Association.

"Stroke is currently the UK's third biggest killer, and as such should be treated as a medical emergency. Better organisation of existing therapies could make a real difference to a person's outcome after their stroke. These guidelines provide practical means for health professionals to achieve this.

The guidelines also reinforce the effectiveness of having specialist stroke units in general hospitals, as recently highlighted by The Stroke Association's 'Why are We Waiting?' campaign.

We look forward to seeing the results of the college's forthcoming audit on existing stroke services, to ascertain to what extent this practice has been adopted by primary care trusts."

The Stroke Association has helped to fund a patient and carer's guide to the RCP guidelines on stroke called 'Care After Stroke'. The booklet is available from both The Stroke Association and the Royal College of Physicians.

Ends

For additional press information please contact the Media team at The Stroke Association on 020 7566 0328/1515 or by e-mail at press@stroke.org.uk
Alternatively visit The Stroke Association web site www.stroke.org.uk
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For further enquiries on the Royal College of Physicians, please contact Linda Cuthbertson or Rachel Lea at the RCP Press Office on 020 7935 1174, extension 254/468.

The RCP guidelines on stroke will be published on the RCP website at www.rcplondon.ac.uk from Wednesday 7 July and available from the RCP Publications Department priced £35 including p&p for the whole package.

Notes to editor

1. Each year over 130,000 people in England and Wales have a stroke. Of all people who suffer from a stroke, about a third are likely to die within the first 10 days, about a third are likely to make a recovery within one month and about a third are likely to be left disabled and needing rehabilitation. Stroke has a greater disability impact than any other medical condition. A quarter of a million people are living with long-term disability as a result of stroke in the UK.

2. The Stroke Association is the only national charity solely concerned with combating stroke in people of all ages. It funds research into prevention, treatment and better methods of rehabilitation and helps stroke patients and their families directly through its community services. These include dysphasia support, family support, information services, welfare grants, publications and leaflets. We also campaign, educate and inform to increase knowledge of stroke at all levels of society and we act as a voice for everyone affected by stroke.

3. A stroke happens when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted. Most strokes occur when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood to the brain. Some strokes are caused by bleeding in or around the brain from a burst blood vessel. When the blood supply is disrupted, parts of the brain become damaged or destroyed. Some strokes are fatal whist others can cause permanent or temporary paralysis to one side of the body and loss of the ability to speak, read or write. Recovery may be slow and can vary from person to person.

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