Buff up on signs of stroke this National Stroke Week

The Townsville Hospital stroke team is encouraging the Townsville community to tie up their capes and become F.A.S.T heroes this National Stroke Week (2-8 September).

Townsville Hospital acute stroke unit occupational therapist Ian Meade said F.A.S.T heroes were able to recognise the signs of stroke and call an ambulance immediately, potentially saving a life.

“F.A.S.T is an acronym for Face, Arms, Speech and Time,” Ian said.

“Eighty per cent of strokes can be recognised by looking at the person’s face; has their mouth drooped? Checking their arms; can they lift them both? Is their speech slurred and do they understand you? And time is critical.

“If you see any of these signs call 000 straight away; you could save someone’s life.”

Ian said that strokes were always a medical emergency.

“Last year, The Townsville Hospital treated 250 patients for stroke,” Ian said.

“During rehabilitation, my patients often tell me that in retrospect they experienced signs of stroke but decided to go to bed, hoping that everything would be normal when they woke up.

“Unfortunately, the longer a stroke is left untreated, the greater the chance of stroke-related brain damage.

“Modern medicine means that we can significantly reduce the risk of long-term disability post stroke; however, this medication is time critical.

“Even if it turns out to be something benign it’s always better to be safe than sorry."

Other symptoms of stroke include:

• Weakness or numbness or paralysis of the face, arm or leg on either or both sides of the body
• Difficulty speaking or understanding
• Dizziness, loss of balance or an unexplained fall
• Loss of vision, sudden blurring or decreased vision in one or both eyes
• Headache, usually severe and abrupt onset or unexplained change in the pattern of headaches
• Difficulty swallowing

For more information on stroke, visit the Stroke Foundation’s website.