Stroke Week 2020
We can all be FAST Heroes!
This National Stroke Week (Aug 31-Sept 6) Stroke Foundation is urging Australians from all walks of life to become the next generation of F.A.S.T. Heroes.
A F.A.S.T. hero is anyone who can help save a life simply by knowing how to recognise the F.A.S.T. (Face. Arms. Speech and Time) signs of stroke.
Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer Sharon McGowan said the more F.A.S.T. heroes we had across the country the better.
“Stroke can happen to anyone, anywhere and at any age,” Ms McGowan said.
“When a stroke happens, brain cells start dying at a frightening rate of up to 1.9 million per minute, but medical treatments can stop this damage.
“The message is simple – Time is brain. The faster you can be treated after stroke, the more chance you have of making a full recovery.”
The vital first step in accessing these medical treatments is recognising the F.A.S.T. stroke signs and calling triple zero (000).
“Anyone who can remember the F.A.S.T acronym can be a hero. Please learn it and help us by sharing it with your family, friends and colleagues. It could save a life,” Ms McGowan said.
Think F.A.S.T and ask these questions if you suspect a stroke:
• 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 triple zero (000) straight away.
Stroke is one of Australia’s biggest killers and a leading cause of disability. Most strokes show one or more of the F.A.S.T. signs.
Ms McGowan said learning and sharing the F.A.S.T. signs of stroke message is as important as ever during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We know fewer people have been presenting to hospital at the first sign of stroke because they are fearful of contracting coronavirus or over-burdening our doctors and nurses,” Ms McGowan said.
“The reality is stroke does not stop for COVID-19, essential services are still running in our hospitals and every precaution is being taken to protect patients and their families.
“If you delay calling triple zero (000) it could result in a longer hospital stay, serious disability or even death. It is not worth the risk.”
This National Stroke Week, Stroke Foundation is encouraging Australians to share the F.A.S.T message with others safely – through conversations, social media, by getting creative and holding a virtual event or by printing a F.A.S.T. poster from our website and placing it in the window of your home.