VICTORIANS need to lift their understanding of what stroke most commonly looks like and give people the chance of getting the emergency treatment stroke requires, says Stroke Foundation chief executive officer, Sharon McGowan.
Each year, Stroke Foundation measures Australians’ awareness of the most common signs of stroke, which are facial droop, the inability to lift both arms, and slurred speech. They are highlighted in the F.A.S.T acronym, which also reminds people that in a stroke, ‘Time is critical’.
However, the most recent survey found that only 11 per cent of Victorians know that the inability to lift both arms is a key indicator of stroke. That is slightly better than the national awareness level of 10 per cent, but still extremely concerning, says Ms McGowan.
“Absolutely every minute counts when a stroke strikes, because in every minute of a stroke you lose 1.9 million brain cells.” she says.
“Not knowing the signs of stroke reduces your chance of getting the urgent treatment you need, and once those brain cells die, it makes recovery so much more difficult.”
Stroke Foundation is urging Victorians to learn the Face, Arms, Speech and Time message – and to pass it on.
