Two years on from a stroke, mother-of-two Grace Lockhart says early intervention may have saved her life.
The Northern Beaches woman was leaving a Christmas party with her husband and eight-month-old baby when she began to feel dizzy. As a registered nurse, 31-year-old Grace knew something was not right.
"I sat down to catch my breath and felt some tingling and left-sided weakness. Stroke was at the front of my mind," she said.
"I had all the typical F.A.S.T signs, plus kaleidoscope vision, so we called an ambulance. Being a nurse, I was trying to remain calm, but I was also well aware of what could be happening."
The F.A.S.T acronym highlights the three most common signs of stroke - Facial droop, the inability to lift both Arms, and slurred Speech. The 'T' stands for time, as a reminder that a stroke requires time-critical emergency treatment
Grace was initially discharged and told she had been experiencing a migraine.
"I went back a few days later and an MRI revealed that I had a stroke. I was medicated and discharged again. But after about a week I was still feeling off, and after a number of scans they discovered I'd experienced an extension of the original stroke."
"Slowly the intermittent tingles and visual disturbances have stopped. These were cruel reminders as I'd forget and be carefree and then they'd pop up again."
While stroke is often still considered as a disease which impacts the elderly, 24 per cent of all strokes are now experienced by working age Australians.
Grace has since returned to nursing. She says the stroke has taught her to be more empathetic. Her message to others is to learn the F.A.S.T message and listen to your body.
"I know I am fortunate, and I think that's because I spoke up and sought early intervention. I wasn't able to drive for four months, but on the plus side I got to spend more time with my son."
Stroke Foundation data recently found Sydney is one of the worst performing capital cities in Australia when it comes to knowing the signs of stroke.
The F.A.S.T National Awareness Survey found that an alarming 47 per cent of Sydney residents could not name a single sign of stroke..
Stroke Foundation is asking the incoming New South Wales government to commit to future investment in F.A.S.T education to make sure Sydney residents have every opportunity to see and hear the F.A.S.T message.
Stroke Foundation Interim Chief Executive Officer Dr Lisa Murphy said stroke is always a medical emergency, and without urgent treatment a stroke can mean death or lifelong disability.
"Almost half of Sydney's population, approximately 2.4 million people, would not be able to recognise if they or someone else was having a stroke," Dr Murphy said.
"It's time to close that gap between metro and regional New South Wales. We know our F.A.S.T awareness program works, a similar stroke education program funded by NSW Health in regional New South Wales saw awareness of stroke signs lift by 20 per cent in just two years. We know this program can ultimately equip more people in Sydney with life-saving stroke knowledge."
