A FAST way to survive a stroke

- National Stroke Week 13 to 19 September 2010 -

Stroke is the leading cause of illness worldwide and is second only to heart disease as a cause of death.

The situation in Australia is no different, with more than 60,000 strokes occurring nationally each year – that’s one every 10 minutes. The number of people affected by a stroke is set to increase due the country’s ageing population, but there are a number of ways the condition can be prevented and treated.

It’s important Australians are aware of ways to identify a person who has had a stroke. Getting to hospital quickly can save lives and reduce disability.

In order to encourage people to act swiftly in an emergency; the FAST test was developed with four 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!

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

“Stroke is a medical emergency, and 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).”

The effect of a stroke can be vast and may affect a person’s 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/s.

The HNE Health Stroke Stream supports the development of services that deliver effective early interventions that aim to maximise recovery, prevent complications and subsequent strokes, such as thrombolysis (clot busting therapy).

For all people with stroke, Stroke Unit care significantly reduces death and disability compared with conventional care in general wards and is the single most important intervention for improving stroke management. Stroke Unit care is now available at Belmont Hospital, John Hunter Hospital, Calvary Mater Newcastle and Tamworth Hospital. Units are also under development at Maitland and Manning hospitals.

HNE Health is promoting a range of activities during National Stroke Week, to try to raise the community’s awareness of the seriousness of stroke:

Tamworth
Tamworth Stroke Support Group will host an information stall at Northgate Shopping Centre on Monday 13, Tuesday 14 and Wednesday 15 September, from 9.30am to 5pm, with raffle tickets also on sale.

Belmont
Belmont Hospital is hosting a morning tea for stroke patients and their families/carers on Tuesday 14 September from 10.30am to 11.30am at the Belmont Hospital Stroke Unit Gym.

Armidale
Armidale Hospital staff are hosting the second Armidale Community Stroke Forum and Lawn Bowls Day at Armidale City Bowling Club on Tuesday 14 September from 9.30am to 4pm.

Wallsend
HNE Health’s Community Stroke Team is hosting an education forum at Wallsend Diggers on Wednesday 15 September from 9.30am to 2.30pm.

Taree
Manning Hospital is hosting an information stall and display in the hospital’s main foyer throughout National Stroke Week. Community members can have their blood pressure checked between 10am and midday each day.

Newcastle (John Hunter Hospital)
HNE Health’s Community Stroke Team will host an art exhibition at the Royal Newcastle Centre (adjacent to John Hunter Hospital) throughout National Stroke Week.

(HNE-2366)

Contact: Carisa Green

Phone: 0428 106 183