Actors Sanjeev Bhaskar and Bhasker Patel urge South Asian community to take part in stroke survey

BRITISH Asian actors Sanjeev Bhaskar and Bhasker Patel are leading a campaign to raise awareness among the community about stroke.

Stroke is now the fourth largest cause of death in England.

A new survey by Public Health England (PHE) is aimed at the Asian and black communities and will run during PHE’s Act F.A.S.T. campaign.

South Asians are at a higher risk than their white counterparts due to high blood pressure and diabetes being significant factors.

Bhaskar said: “It’s important we recognise the signs (of stroke) and know how best to respond when we see them in ourselves or others so more lives can be saved.”

Patel, who is featured in the stroke Act F.A.S.T. film, said: “The stroke Act F.A.S.T. campaign reminds people of the key signs of stroke and the importance of calling 999 immediately if they notice any single one of the signs in themselves or others.”

PHE director Professor Julia Verne said: “We’d like to encourage as many South Asian people as possible to complete the survey to help us understand current levels of knowledge of our Act F.A.S.T. messages.”

Do you know the signs of a stroke?

The short survey can be completed online at https://bit.ly/StrokeSurveyEE and will close on 28 February 2018.