National Stroke Awareness Week 2022

Think F.A.S.T., act FAST

During National Stroke Week 2022, we are celebrating the precious moments that you or your loved one’s can continue to enjoy during and after your recovery.

Help others to keep enjoying precious moments too by sharing the F.A.S.T. (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) signs of stroke message with your family and friends.

If you or someone you know experiences the signs of stroke, no matter how long they last, call triple zero (000) immediately.

How do you know if someone is having a stroke? Think… F.A.S.T.

The Stroke Foundation recommends the F.A.S.T. test as an easy way to remember the most common signs of stroke. Using the F.A.S.T. test involves asking these 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 Is critical. If you see any of these signs call 000 straight away.

Other signs of stroke

Facial weakness, arm weakness and difficulty with speech are the most common symptoms or signs of stroke, but they are not the only signs.

The following signs of stroke may occur alone or in combination:

• 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

Sometimes the signs disappear within a short time, such as a few minutes. When this happens, it may be a transient ischaemic attack (TIA). After a TIA, your risk of stroke is higher. Stroke can lead to death or disability. A TIA is a warning that you may have a stroke and an opportunity to prevent this from happening.

For more information, visit the Stroke Foundation Australia.

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Source Article: Stroke Foundation Australia