New data has prompted an urgent plea from the Stroke Foundation for residents living in the New South Wales region of Lyne, to learn the signs and risks of stroke.
Results from the foundation's National Awareness Survey, which tests Australians' awareness of the signs and risks of stroke, found that awareness of facial droop, one of the most common signs of stroke, has plummeted by 15 per cent in just one year, going from 66 per cent in 2022 to 51 per cent in 2023.
Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Dr Lisa Murphy, says she's shocked by the results.
"This decrease in awareness is concerning. It is telling us that fewer people in this large region of New South Wales would recognise that facial droop is a sign of stroke. This could lead to fewer people recognising that they, or someone else is having a stroke which means a delay in getting to hospital for time-critical treatment."
Dr Murphy is calling on all Lyne residents to learn the signs of stroke by memorising the F.A.S.T. acronym which outlines the common signs of stroke: 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 Lyne residents, from Ballengarra to Hawks Nest and everyone in between, to learn the signs of stroke. Knowing the F.A.S.T. signs of stroke saves lives," Dr Murphy said.
"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, more than 200 strokes will occur in the Lyne region and there are currently 33,702 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, from 82 per cent in 2022 to 73 per cent in 2023.
"I cannot stress enough the importance of having regular 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.
