New Stroke Foundation data has found a concerning drop in awareness for two of the three most common signs of stroke.
The foundation's annual National Awareness Survey, conducted by YouGov, has revealed that fewer people living in the Capricornia region know that facial droop and speech difficulties are signs of stroke, when compared to last year.
The 2023 survey shows that 37 per cent of residents know that facial droop is a sign, while 45 per cent know slurred speech is a sign. That's a three per cent drop in awareness for both signs, when compared to 2022.
Alarmingly, the survey also found that 88 per cent of Capricornia residents incorrectly identified signs of stoke. This has led to an urgent plea from Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Dr Lisa Murphy, for Australians to learn the stroke sign: F for facial droop, A for inability to lift both arms, S for slurred speech and T stands for time- stroke is always a medical emergency so call an ambulance immediately
"I'm asking Capricornia residents from Scottville to Yeppoon and everyone in between to learn the signs of stroke. Knowing the F.A.S.T. signs of stroke saves lives."
"When a stroke strikes, it attacks up to 1.9 million brain cells per minute. Acting quickly and getting emergency treatment by calling 000 can be the difference between surviving and living well after stroke or death and long-term disability."
Every year, Approximately 151 strokes will occur in the Capricornia region and there are currently 26,312 people living with high blood pressure- one of the biggest modifiable risk factors of stroke. Despite this, awareness of the risk factors of stroke in the region has decreased in a year.
Awareness of high blood pressure as a risk has dropped by nine per cent, smoking by three per cent, stress by 12 per cent, high cholesterol by ten per cent and low physical activity by 9 per cent.
"I cannot stress enough the importance of having regular health and blood pressure checks to firstly identify if you have high blood pressure, and then work with your GP on ways to reduce your blood pressure and control it," Dr Murphy said.
