SMCV Unveils Malaysia's First Educational Stroke Mirror To Strengthen Public Awareness

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 (Bernama) -- Sunway Medical Centre Velocity (SMCV) has unveiled Malaysia’s first educational Stroke Mirror to strengthen public awareness of stroke symptoms, encourage early intervention and promote a proactive approach towards brain health.

This initiative was introduced through the ‘Brain for Life: The Ultimate Mind & Motion Experience’ held at Sunway Velocity Mall from Oct 30 to Nov 1 to address the critical challenge in stroke care, where uncertainty in recognising symptoms can lead to delays in seeking medical attention.

Through interactive and educational experiences, SMCV sought to help Malaysians better understand the warning signs of stroke and recognise the importance of acting quickly when symptoms appear.

According to the Malaysia National Stroke Registry Report 2017-2024, only 36.3 per cent of ischaemic stroke patients arrived at hospital within 4.5 hours of symptom onset, highlighting the persistent challenge of delayed treatment.

The report highlights that poor recognition of stroke symptoms remains among the barriers preventing patients from receiving timely medical attention.

Recognising this gap, SMCV introduced the educational Stroke Mirror as the centrepiece of Brain for Life, offering visitors an engaging way to learn about stroke symptoms and the importance of seeking immediate medical assistance.

The initiative reflects SMCV’s commitment to making health education more accessible by bringing important medical knowledge beyond the hospital and into everyday community spaces.

Beyond stroke awareness, Brain for Life also aimed to shift public perceptions of brain health from one that is largely reactive, where medical attention is sought only when symptoms arise, towards a preventive approach that prioritises early assessment, risk awareness, and healthier lifestyles.

SMCV Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Susan Cheow said the introduction of Malaysia’s first educational Stroke Mirror is part of SMCV’s effort to make health education more engaging, accessible and relevant to the community.

“By bringing these experiences into a familiar public setting, we hope to encourage more Malaysians to recognise the early warning signs of stroke, take preventive action and seek medical attention when needed.”

“Ultimately, our goal is to improve individuals and families with the knowledge to make better- informed decisions about their health through the expertise of our medical professionals, medical technology and facilities at SMCV,” she said.

Meanwhile, SMCV consultant physician and neurologist Dr Kok Chin Yong said recognising stroke symptoms and seeking immediate medical attention could make a significant difference in patient outcomes.

He said stroke is a medical emergency in which every minute matters, as nearly two million neurons could be lost for every minute that treatment was delayed, while the human brain contains approximately 86 billion neurons.

“This highlights why it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention as soon as stroke symptoms appear. However, some people may dismiss early warning signs such as sudden facial drooping, arm weakness or speech difficulties because they are unsure whether these symptoms indicate a stroke.

“Such hesitation can delay treatment and potentially result in more severe neurological damage,” he said, urging the public to remember the BE FAST principle, which stands for Balance, Eyes changes, Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties and Time to call emergency services.

He said stroke symptoms should never be ignored, even if they appeared mild or disappeared after a short period, and advised the public not to wait for symptoms to worsen before seeking medical attention.

Maintaining good brain health also involves managing risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol, alongside regular health assessments and healthy lifestyle habits, he added.

As part of its efforts to extend stroke awareness across generations, SMCV also hosted the FAST Heroes workshop in collaboration with the Angels Initiative, an educational programme designed to teach children to recognise stroke warning signs and respond appropriately during emergencies.

Through interactive learning activities, the workshop introduced children to stroke warning signs in an engaging and age-appropriate manner, equipping them with potentially life-saving knowledge to share with their parents, grandparents and other family members.

In addition to the Stroke Mirror and FAST Heroes workshop, Brain for Life featured complimentary basic health, nerve health and cognitive assessments to help visitors better understand their overall health and neurological well-being.

In addition to the Stroke Mirror and FAST Heroes workshop, Brain for Life featured complimentary basic health, nerve health and cognitive assessments, providing visitors with opportunities to gain a better understanding of their overall health and neurological well-being.

Members of the public also had the opportunity to engage directly with SMCV’s Neuroscience team through complimentary consultations to discuss potential health concerns, understand relevant risk factors, and receive guidance on appropriate follow-up care.

The event also featured interactive activities, including a robotic chess experience and cognitive challenges, designed to encourage participants of different ages to explore the importance of cognitive function, mental engagement and maintaining a healthy brain.

SMCV said the initiative reinforced its commitment to advancing neuroscience care while making preventive health education more accessible to the wider community.

By combining medical expertise, interactive experiences and community partnerships, Brain for Life served as a platform to encourage Malaysians to take greater responsibility for their neurological well-being, recognise stroke symptoms early and make brain health an important part of everyday life.

-- BERNAMA