New research from Stroke Foundation has revealed Brisbane residents are falling behind their regional counterparts when it comes to recognising what a stroke looks like.
The organisation’s most recent annual F.A.S.T National Awareness Survey revealed 36 per cent of Brisbane residents could not name a single sign of stroke, compared to 33 per cent of people in regional Queensland.
The F.A.S.T acronym highlights the three most common signs of stroke – Facial droop, the inability to lift both Arms, and slurred Speech. The ‘T’ stands for time, as a reminder that a stroke requires time-critical emergency treatment. The signs (Face, Arms, and Speech) and the reminder that Time is critical, make up the F.A.S.T acronym which Stroke Foundation wants all Australians to learn.
Stroke Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer Sharon McGowan said the survey highlights that there is a long way to go to ensure more residents learn and benefit from this lifesaving message.
“Each year, more than 5,300 people across Queensland will have a stroke. We need someone in every home and workplace across the country to be armed with the skills and knowledge to recognise a stroke and act quickly when it does happen,” she said.
“Stroke is a leading cause of adult disability, leaving thousands of Australians in need of permanent medical support each year. The chronic disease already costs the NDIS over $1b each year to support people who are left with permanent disabilities.”
Anyone of any age can be impacted by stroke and almost a quarter of all strokes happen to young, working age Australians. Recognising stroke and getting urgent medical treatment is often the difference between returning to work, sport, and community life – or not.
The survey also revealed 52 per cent of Brisbane residents recognise speech difficulties as a sign of stroke, less than the 55 per cent in regional Queensland. It found 40 per cent of Brisbane residents were familiar with facial droop as a sign of stroke compared to 46 per cent in regional Queensland, and a mere 9 per cent of Brisbane residents knew about the inability to lift both arms, compared to 12 per cent in the rest of the state.
Ms McGowan said all Queenslanders need to know the F.A.S.T message and to recognise the signs of stroke because time is brain.
“Any delay in calling an ambulance and accessing specialist emergency treatment can be the difference between life and death. There is often only a short window of time to act which is why ‘FAST’ is such an appropriate acronym.”
“Learning the F.A.S.T message is easy, and it can truly save lives. Our hope is that Brisbane residents will take this on board, learn what to look for and what to do – and to share that message with their loved ones.”
