A new survey from the Stroke Foundation has revealed Perth residents are going backwards when it comes to their knowledge of stroke, one of the country’s biggest killers.
The most recent annual F.A.S.T National Awareness Survey results found 42 per cent of people living in Perth could not name a single sign of stroke, compared to 38 per cent in 2022.
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. Stroke Foundation wants all Australians to learn the F.A.S.T acronym to help save lives.
Stroke Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer Sharon McGowan said the 4 per cent decrease in Perth residents’ stroke awareness highlights the need for urgent action.
“We know more than 2,700 people in Western Australia will have a stroke this year, and that’s why we need someone in every home and workplace to be armed with the skills and knowledge to recognise a stroke and act quickly when it does happen,” she said.
“More than 80 per cent of strokes display at least one of the F.A.S.T signs of stroke, so this data is worrying, and it’s time for us to do something about it. Learning the F.A.S.T message is easy, and it can truly save lives.”
The survey also revealed Perth residents are falling behind their regional counterparts. In contrast, people living in regional areas increased their awareness of stroke by 7 per cent from 2021 to 2022. Over two thirds of people in these areas can recognise at least one sign of stroke.
Perth residents’ ability to recognise the three common stroke signs also lags well behind the Australian average. While 49 per cent of Perth residents recognise speech difficulties, the Australian average is 51 per cent.
For facial droop the results are 32 per cent in Perth and 40 per cent nationally, and a mere eight per cent said the inability to lift both arms was a common stroke sign, compared to the Australian average of 10 per cent.
“Stroke is a leading cause of adult disability, leaving thousands of Australians in need of permanent medical support each year. Stroke is always a medical emergency. When stroke strikes, there is no time to lose. Around 1.9 million brain cells can die every minute. Prompt medical treatment can stop this damage,” Ms McGowan said.
“If you can recognise a stroke, you can take the vital step in calling 000 and getting a person, often a loved one, the emergency medical help they need. This provides the best chance of a good outcome.”
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.
Ms McGowan is calling on the WA Government to invest in this life saving FAST campaign and give WA residents the best chance of making a full recovery from stroke.
She hopes Perth residents will heed the F.A.S.T message and share it with their friends and loved ones.
