ACT residents are leading the way when it comes to recognising one of the key signs of stroke that most Australians do not know exists.
‘A’, which stands for inability to lift both arms, is one of the important letters in the life-saving F.A.S.T acronym but a new survey has found more than 20 million Australians still do not know it is a sign of stroke.
Every year, Stroke Foundation conducts an annual survey of Australians’ awareness of stroke signs and risks. The 2022 survey revealed in the past 12 months there has been an increase in awareness in all three F.A.S.T signs but awareness of arms remains low.
The three most common stroke signs covered in the F.A.S.T acronym ( F- facial droop, A-inability to lift both arms, S-slurred speech) are experienced in at least 80 per cent of strokes but, concerningly, only 10 per cent of Australians know inability to lift both arms is one of them.
In comparison, the data shows that Australians are more aware of the other common signs with 40 per cent of Australians knowing that facial droop is a sign of stroke and 51 per cent knowing that slurred speech is a sign.
In ACT, awareness of the arms sign has doubled in one year, from eight per cent to 16 per cent, which is higher than the national figure.
Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Sharon McGowan says while this increase is promising, the low level of awareness of arms compared to the other common signs is still concerning.
” If people are not aware of this, they might not immediately recognise someone is having a stroke, which will delay calling an ambulance and delay access to specialist emergency treatment. A stroke is always a medical emergency and that treatment needs to be delivered as soon as possible.”
Ms McGowan says every minute counts when a stroke strikes.
“When stroke strikes it attacks 1.9 million brain cells per minute so you really cannot afford to lose time or delay treatment. Time equals brain and the sooner the person having a stroke can receive emergency medical treatment, the better their chance of survival and a good recovery.”
Stroke Foundation is urging Australians to think F.A.S.T.
“Recognising inability to lift both arms could be the difference between a survivor of stroke having a chance at a good recovery or having lifelong disability due to delayed treatment. So please, familiarise yourself with this common sign, because it could one day save a life.”
