‘A’ is one of the important letters in the life-saving F.A.S.T acronym but more than 20 million Australians still don’t know what it stands for – including most Western Australians.
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 up to 90 per cent of strokes but, concerningly, only ten per cent of Australians know inability to lift both arms is one of them.
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 inability to raise both hands remains low.
The data shows that 40 per cent of Australians know that facial droop is a sign of stroke and 51 per cent know that slurred speech is a sign, an increase of two per cent and one per cent respectively, but only 10 per cent of Australians know that inability to lift both arms is a sign of stroke.
In Western Australia, awareness of the arms sign is 9 per cent which is slightly lower than the national figure.
Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Sharon McGowan says these figures are concerning and awareness of the arms sign compared to the other two common signs is still too low.
“Inability to lift both arms is one of the common signs of stroke. 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. 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.”
