Your health: act FAST on signs of stroke

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Stroke doesn’t have to be a death sentence if you get help early. People should be aware of the early warning signs and get help immediately to access new and effective treatments to either avoid a stroke or minimise its effects.

This fact sheet was written by Dr Roger Boyd, Director of Medical Services at HKHS. It is part of our Health Hotline series.

Stroke is Australia’s third biggest killer behind heart disease and cancer with 50,000 Australians every year having a stroke – that’s around one every 11 minutes. With each stroke the outcome is bleak for the majority with 1/3 dying within 12 months; 1/3 being disabled and only 1/3 regaining quality of life.

But the good news is that stroke doesn’t have to be a death sentence if you get help early. People should be aware of the early warning signs and get help immediately to access new and effective treatments to either avoid a stroke or minimise its effects.

Stroke happens when blood going to the brain is stopped and it kills brain cells in the immediate area. Without prompt medical treatment, a larger area of brain cells will also die and the body will lose control of the abilities governed by that part of the brain including speech, movement and memory.

Many stroke survivors look back and see that there were some early signs of stroke. Unfortunately, the problem is that most Australians simply don’t know what the signs of stroke are. If they did, they may have been able to avoid a stroke or achieve a better recover.

Early signs of stroke include:

• Weakness, numbness or paralysis of the face, arm or leg on either of both sides of the body
• Difficulty speaking or understanding
• Dizziness, loss of balance or an unexplained fall
• Loss of vision, sudden blurred or decreased vision in one or both eyes
• Headache, usually severe and of abrupt onset or an unexplained change in the pattern
• Difficulty swallowing

A mini-stroke or a Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) has the same signs as stroke but signs disappear within 24 hours. A TIA is often a warning of an impending stroke and you should seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel better.

Why not take the following StrokeSafe test and consider your risk of stroke.

• I am over 50 years of age
• I have a family history of stroke, have heart disease or have had a stroke
• I have elevated or high blood pressure (greater than 140/90) or do not know my blood pressure
• I currently smoke
• I have high cholesterol (total cholesterol greater than 4.0mmol/L) or do not know my cholesterol level
• I have more than 2 standard alcoholic drinks per day
• I am overweight
• I do not go for a 30 minute brisk walk or an activity of the like on most days of the week (includes work, domestic duties or leisure time)
• I do not eat a diet high in fruit and vegetables and low in fat, sugar and salt
• I have diabetes or impaired glucose intolerance
• I have atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat)

If you have ticked one or more of the boxes you have an increased risk of stroke and you should talk to your doctor about ways to minimise your risk.

Remember to save lives and reduce disability, look out for the signs of stroke and act FAST – remember FAST is an easy way for everyone to recognise the signs of stroke:

Facial weakness – can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye dropped?
Arm weakness – can the person raise both arms?
Speech difficulty – can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?
Time to act fast – seek medical treatment immediately!

Printable version

Related links:

• Printable version
• Stroke Service
• Fact sheets