There are no guarantees in life, says a stroke survivor from Paarl, but, if you get help quickly, you have a fighting chance. As Western Cape Government Health enters Stroke Awareness Week (25 to 31 October) we urge residents to take precautions to prevent a stroke, to urgently get medical help if they experience symptoms and to work with healthcare workers in the journey to recovery.
“I bent down to help the neighbour close a gate, and felt a buzzing in my head,” says Mr Ludwick Layman (55). “I knew it was a stroke. We called the ambulance, but then decided to go to the hospital ourselves. Within 30 minutes I lost the use of my right arm and leg,” he says about his experience only six months ago.
Urgently go to your nearest hospital’s Emergency Centre, or call for an ambulance at 10177 if you experience signs that could indicate you are having a stroke:
- A sudden, severe headache or dizziness
- A loss of balance
- Difficulty speaking clearly
- Sudden weakness in an arm or leg
- Your face drooping on one side
- Blurry vision
According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of South Africa, someone has a stroke every ten hours. The sooner you get medical intervention, the better your chances of recovery, as a stroke can be disabling or even cost your life.
Article first appeared here