Croí Mobile Health Hub to visit ahead of World Stroke Day

Croí, the heart and stroke charity, is bringing its Croí Mobile Health Hub to Golden Island Shopping Centre, Athlone on Thursday October 22, in advance of World Stroke Day on October 29.

The Croí health team will be available at the Mobile Health Hub from 10am– 4pm to provide blood pressure, pulse and cholesterol checks along with information and advice on stroke prevention and cardiovascular health, including the importance of knowing and managing key risk factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol and atrial fibrillation (AF).

Supported by the Michael Guinee Charitable Foundation, the visit will focus on raising awareness of stroke, helping members of the public recognise the signs and symptoms, understand their risk factors and know when to #ActFAST.

With one in four people at risk of stroke in their lifetime, Croí is encouraging people to learn the signs of stroke and understand the importance of taking immediate action.

A stroke is a medical emergency. The signs can appear suddenly and include facial weakness, arm weakness and problems with speech. Remember FAST – Face, Arm, Speech, Time. If you see any of these signs, it is time to call 112 or 999 for an ambulance.

Heart and brain health are closely linked. High blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking are all important stroke risk factors.

High blood pressure is also a risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF), an irregular heart rhythm. In AF, blood can pool in the heart, allowing clots to form and travel to the brain.

A pulse check may pick up an irregular rhythm that needs further assessment. People with AF are around five times more likely to have a stroke, so recognising and appropriately managing high blood pressure and AF is an important part of stroke prevention.

Croí is encouraging people in Athlone and the surrounding area to take the opportunity to speak with the health team, learn more about stroke prevention and share the #ActFAST message with family, friends and colleagues.

The Croí Mobile Health Hub is a 13.6-metre state-of-the-art mobile health facility and the largest vehicle in Ireland’s mobile health fleet. It contains six private assessment cubicles and two consultation rooms and can also be transformed into an educational and training space.

The Athlone visit is part of Croí’s, Croí In Your Community programme, which brings heart and stroke prevention information, education and health services directly into communities.

To book your appointment visit https://croi.ie/event/athlonehealthcheck/.