Following Norris Cole’s Corrie demise, The Stroke Association remind us of ‘FAST’

The Stroke Association, the UK’s leading charity dedicated to stroke, has urged viewers to act FAST and save lives if they think someone may be having a stroke.

“Millions of Coronation Street fans will be mourning the loss of Norris Cole, one of the programme’s much-loved characters, after a stroke. It sadly reminds us that stroke is one of the leading causes of death in the UK and the single largest cause of complex disability in adults. However, the excellent news is the mortality rate after stroke has decreased by over a third in the past two decades. Much of this is down to the remarkable advances in treatment for stroke and the medical care that survivors receive.”

“It’s also because people are much more aware of the symptoms of stroke and know that stroke is a medical emergency. Lives can be saved if you think and act FAST. – Juliet Bouverie, Chief Executive of the Stroke Association

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!

Later this week in Coronation Street Ken Barlow is informed that Norris Cole, a regular on the cobbles for nearly 30 years, has passed away following a stroke. Later in the Rovers, the Weatherfield residents raise a toast to dearly departed street gossip Norris.

Next week we prepare to say farewell to Norris Cole, first seen as a hitchhiker picked up by Derek Wilton – who then couldn’t shake off his ‘new friend’. Norris later became Derek’s boss when he married his ex-wife Angela, but that fell apart and soon he was living on Coronation Street, ending up a co-owner of The Kabin, working alongside Rita and living with Emily. However, it was the shop that gave him the perfect outlet for gossip and revelations.

The departure of Norris is a end of an era moment for Corrie, but the Stroke Association hope in the way in which he departs will once again highlight the issues surrounding strokes.

“A stroke is a brain attack and acting fast makes a huge difference. You are more likely to survive a stroke and make a better recovery if you call 999 on spotting any one of the symptoms. The quicker you act, the more of the person you save.” – Juliet Bouverie, Chief Executive of the Stroke Association

Some other signs of stroke or mini stroke can include a sudden loss of vision or blurred vision in one or both eyes, sudden weakness or numbness on one side of your body (including in your leg), sudden memory loss or confusion and a sudden dizziness, unsteadiness, or a sudden fall, especially with any of the other signs.

For more information about stroke and support services for survivors and carers visit www.stroke.org.uk or call the Stroke Helpline on 0303 3033 100.