A campaign has been launched across the south west to remind people of the signs of a stroke as figures show a rise in the number of middle aged people in the region having strokes.

More than 122,500 people on GP registers in the south west have had a stroke and in 2016 almost 4,000 people died from a stroke.

While 59% of strokes occur in the older generation, Public Health England (PHE) has found that more than a third of first time strokes happen in middle aged adults between the ages of 40 – 69.

Awareness is crucial, so the campaign reaches out to people of all ages to highlight the risk of stroke and reiterates the signs and how vital it is that people call 999 and get to hospital as soon as possible. Around 1.9 million nerve cells in the brain are lost every minute that a stroke is left untreated, which can result in slurred speech and paralysis. If left untreated, a stroke can result in permanent disability or death.

The FAST (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) acronym has featured in the advertising for a number of years and is a simple test to help people identify the most common signs of a stroke which are:

• Face – has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile?

• Arms – can they raise both their arms and keep them there?

• Speech – is their speech slurred?

• Time – time to call 999

Debbie Stark, deputy centre director for PHE South West said:

“We know that sadly, far too many people dismiss their early warning signs of stroke and delay calling 999. Stroke is a medical emergency and getting the right treatment fast can save lives.

“Through this latest campaign we hope as many people as possible know how to act FAST and help reduce the devastating impact a stroke can have.”

Paul Leyland, 58, from Wellington in Somerset said: "In 2012, I had a stroke whilst on holiday in Cornwall and now I’m encouraging people to learn to recognise the signs of stroke in themselves and others.

“I'd been enjoying the last day of the holiday with my family when I decided to stop off at a supermarket for a cooked breakfast. Something in my head registered that I was having a stroke as I recognised the signs from the Act F.A.S.T. TV ad. I could feel a wave of numbness moving from my head down, and weakness spreading inside my body and became very unsteady. I couldn’t imagine what else it could have been.

“Fortunately, my family were able to help me to the supermarket, where staff called 999 for an ambulance and I was rushed to hospital within an hour. Initially, my vision and emotions were severely affected, and I was left with numbness down the left-hand side of my body, some of which continues today.

“But with support from Headway Somerset I have rebuilt my life, and in many ways feel fitter than I did before the stroke: walking twice a day and doing yoga. I have also been able to return to my career in film and as an artist and have worked with a support group to help others affected by stroke.”