General News
16 August, 2024
Act FAST around strokes
This National Stroke Week, residents were encouraged to learn one simple acronym — which could not only make a world of difference, it could even save a life.
A stroke is caused when blood supply to the brain is interrupted, and one occurs every 19 minutes in Australia.
According to Ambulance Victoria (AV), it’s also among Victoria’s biggest killers and is a leading cause of disability.
As part of the stroke awareness campaign, which concluded last Sunday, communities across the country were reminded of the importance of thinking and acting ‘FAST’.
“The faster you can be treated for stroke, the more chance you have of making a full recovery,” Stroke Foundation CEO Lisa Murphy said.
“The vital first step in accessing these treatments is recognising the FAST signs and calling triple zero (000).”
This lifesaving message is designed to help people remember how to react in an emergency situation.
If you suspect someone is having a stroke, here’s what you should look for:
Face — Check their face. Has their mouth drooped?
Arms — Can they lift both arms?
Speech — Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?
Time — Time is critical. If you see any of these signs, call Triple Zero (000) straight away.
“When a stroke strikes, brain cells start dying at a frightening rate of up to 1.9 million per minute, but prompt medical treatment can stop this damage,” Dr Murphy said.
“The good news is that strokes can be treated, and people can recover well but only if more people can recognise the FAST message.
“We want someone in every home and workplace to know the acronym and to share it with your family, friends and colleagues.”
Victorian paramedics have also backed the campaign.
AV regional director Michael Georgiou said time is of the essence in stroke cases — the sooner paramedics arrive and transport patients for clot-busting treatment, the better the person’s chance of surviving and maintaining a good quality of life.
“Improving stroke outcomes for our patients is an ongoing focus at AV and we are proud of the innovative work we do in this field,” he said.
People can also adopt simple practices to reduce their stroke risk, including getting regular blood pressure checks, quitting smoking, eating a balanced diet, staying active and avoiding alcohol.
For more information around stroke prevention and how to help someone suffering a stroke, visit strokefoundation.org.au