Hobart residents are leading the way across the country when it comes to their knowledge of one of the country's biggest killers, stroke.
The Stroke Foundation's annual F.A.S.T Awareness Survey data found an impressive 86% of residents can name at least one of the three most common signs of stroke, which are facial droop, the inability to lift both arms, and slurred speech.
It's a significant improvement from last year's survey which found 71% of Hobart residents knew one or more of the F.A.S.T signs.
The survey also found 75 per cent of the rest of Tasmanian residents knew one or more signs which still leads the rest of the country, with 73 per cent in regional New South Wales, 67 per cent in regional Queensland, and 69 per cent in regional Victoria.
Collectively Tasmanians are also more likely than residents of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Northern Territory to be aware of modifiable risk factors associated with stroke.
Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer Sharon McGowan congratulated Hobart residents on their knowledge of stroke but says this important work must continue to close the gap. She attributed the leap in awareness to the investment in F.A.S.T education from the Tasmania Government, which supports Stroke Foundation in its ongoing community education program.
"Education makes all the difference but taking out the top spot for the country doesn't mean we can become complacent. We know at least 660 Tasmanians will have a stroke this year, so it's vitally important that every single person in every home and workplace in this state can recognise one of the F.A.S.T signs," Ms McGowan said.
"There is no time to lose when it comes to stroke. It is always a medical emergency. If you can recognise a stroke, you call 000 and get that person the emergency help they need."
The survey also revealed 71 per cent of Hobart residents recognised speech difficulties as one of the signs of stroke compared to 61 per cent in the rest of Tasmania. However, Hobart residents are less likely to known that facial droop and the inability to lift both arms are also key stroke indicators than their regional neighbours.
• Facial droop - Hobart 51 per cent, rest of Tasmania 56 per cent
• Arms - Hobart 11 per cent, rest of Tasmania 12 per cent
"While the percentage increases might seem small, they actually equate to thousands of people who now know a sign, and this can make all the difference in saving a life." Ms McGowan says.
"When someone can recognise a stroke quickly, they can call an ambulance sooner which means the person having a stroke gets specialist treatment faster. This leads to a better chance of survival and a better chance of a good recovery."
Anyone of any age can be impacted by stroke and almost a quarter of all strokes happen to young, working age Australians. Recognising stroke and getting urgent medical treatment is often the difference between returning to work, sport, and community life - or not.
