New data from the Stroke Foundation has found a concerning number of people in the Hinkler Region don’t know the most common signs of stroke.
The foundation’s most recent national awareness survey, completed by YouGov, tested Australians’ awareness of the F.A.S.T. (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) acronym for the signs and risks of stroke.
It found the number of Hinkler residents who knew the three signs of stroke hadn’t changed in a year, remaining at 9%.
Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer Dr Lisa Murphy said this was of great concern.
“Nine per cent is not a great number and the fact that awareness is not increasing is a concern,” Dr Murphy said.
“We want as many people as possible to know the signs so they can recognise a stroke and call an ambulance straight away.
“When a stroke strikes, it attacks up to 1.9 million brain cells per minute.
“Acting quickly and getting emergency treatment by calling 000 can be the difference between surviving and living well after stroke, or death and long-term disability.”
The survey also found that awareness of facial droop as a sign of stroke had decreased by 3%, from 55% in 2022 to 52% in 2023.
Awareness of high blood pressure as a modifiable risk factor of a stroke had also fallen by 1% compared to the year before.
“This is of particular concern considering there are currently more than 31,000 people in the Hinkler Region living with high blood pressure,” Dr Murphy said.
“I cannot stress enough the importance of having regular health and blood pressure checks to firstly identify if you have high blood pressure and then work with your GP on ways to reduce your blood pressure and control it.”
Learn the F.A.S.T signs of a stroke:
- Face – drooped?
- Arms – can’t be raised?
- Speech – slurred or confused?
- Time – is critical, call 000.
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