The Bermuda Hospitals Board will offer free public health screenings next week to help increase awareness about stroke risks.

The free screenings will be held in the lobby of King Edward VII Memorial Hospital between 11am and 4pm on Monday as the BHB marks World Stroke Day.

Wesley Miller, the BHB chief of staff, said: “Staff from our primary stroke centre will conduct a stroke risk assessment for attendees at the health screenings and will provide each of them with a stroke risk scorecard.

“Blood pressure, pulse testing and blood sugar are the screenings that will be done. We are pleased that the Bermuda Diabetes Association has partnered with us in respect of blood sugar testing.”

Strokes occur when clots compromise blood flow to the brain, reducing oxygen supply to the brain and causing brain cells to die very quickly.

Rapid medical attention is the key to reducing risk, as a life-saving procedure called thrombolysis can dissolve the clot and restore blood supply to the brain. However, this therapy must be administered within 4½ hours of the onset of symptoms, with better recovery if given as early as possible.

To help recognise stroke symptoms to ensure rapid treatment, the public are encouraged to use the BE FAST acronym.

• Balance: is there a sudden loss of balance or co-ordination?

• Eye movements: are there problems with vision, such as double vision or partial blindness?

• Facial weakness: does the face droop on one side when smiling?

• Arm weakness: can both arms be raised equally?

• Speech difficulty: is speech slurred, or can a simple sentence be repeated correctly?

• Time: if any of these signs are observed, it's time to call 911 without delay

The BHB has a primary stroke centre at KEMH, which offers state-of-the-art facilities and clot-dissolving treatment.

Strokes are often preventable through adopting a healthy lifestyle, and while strokes are commonly associated with older age, they can affect individuals of any age.

A BHB statement said: “Strokes are life-altering and, all too often, life-threatening events. Yet, with knowledge and timely action, they can be prevented and their impact reduced.

“By embracing a healthy lifestyle, understanding the risks and being vigilant about stroke symptoms, we can collectively reduce stroke incidence and improve outcomes for those affected.”