Latvia urges swift action to recognise stroke symptoms

Latvia marks World Stroke Day on October 29 by raising awareness of stroke symptoms, LSM reports. Stradins Hospital, a hospital in Latvia, is reminding the public how to recognise the signs of a stroke, one of the country’s most common causes of death.

The “FAST” test involves asking someone to smile, raise both arms and speak or repeat simple sentences. If they cannot do any of these, seek medical help immediately, the report says.

Although stroke remains a leading cause of death in Latvia, the number of people dying from it has gradually fallen in recent years. It claimed more than 1,800 lives in 2021 and fewer than 1,400 last year, according to statistics cited by LSM.

Surviving a stroke does not necessarily mean making a full recovery. Some patients must relearn how to walk, speak and manage basic daily tasks. Returning to everyday life can take months or even years and may require support from physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists or psychologists, neurologist Kristaps Jurjans said.

Stroke can recur even after successful treatment, so patients should follow medical advice, take prescribed medication consistently and monitor their health, including their blood pressure. Iveta Mintale said patients need to stay disciplined and agree health goals with their doctors.

A person having a stroke may lose the ability to call for help, Jurjans said. He urged people to stay in regular contact with relatives so someone may notice if help is needed.