14 September 2009

- National Stroke Week, 14 to 20 September 2009 -

Think F.A.S.T. ACT FAST! Is the message being promoted by the Stroke Foundation during this year’s Stroke Awareness Week.

In order to encourage people to act swiftly in an emergency; the FAST test was developed with three simple questions:

• 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 000 now!

Professor Chris Levi, Director of Acute Stroke Services at John Hunter Hospital, cannot stress enough the importance of receiving urgent medical attention in the event of a stroke.

“Stroke is a medical emergency, many stroke patients can receive life saving treatment if they make it to hospital quickly,” Professor Levi said.

“Awareness of the common features of a stroke is critical in identifying that a person is suffering a stroke and then providing immediate action by calling Triple Zero (000).”

Stroke remains the second leading cause of death in Australia; in 2009 there will be around 60,000 new and recurrent Australians who will suffer a stroke.

The effect of a stroke can be vast and may affect a persons ability to  move, think, speak, swallow or to see the world around them. Severe stroke can result in death or major physical or mental disability.

Hunter residents are reminded that the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) and Ambulance NSW are currently researching the use of brain-saving clot busting treatment throughout the Upper Hunter, Great Lakes and Lower Manning.

Should Triple Zero (000) be contacted immediately in the event of a stroke then a sufferer is likely to benefit from clot busting treatment, which must be administered within three hours.

“To check someone is suffering a stroke you should ask the person to smile, hold up their arms and speak a short sentence,” Professor Levi said.

“If any of these actions are impaired then Triple Zero (000) should be contacted immediately.”

The risk of suffering a stroke can be reduced by quitting smoking, limiting alcohol, eating healthy and being physically active. 

(HNE-1988)

Contact: Carisa Green

Phone: (02) 6767 7135