Stroke Foundation is urging Tasmanian residents to arm themselves with life-saving information by learning about the least recognised sign of stroke.
The Foundation is urging Tasmanians to think 'A is for arms' in a bid to boost awareness that inability to lift both arms is a key sign of stroke and if gone unnoticed, could have deadly consequences.
"Every minute a stroke strikes, up to 1.9 million brain cells are attacked. The longer a stroke goes untreated the more damage it does, which can result in death and long-term disability." Stroke Foundation Interim Executive Director Stroke Services and Research, Mr Kelvin Hill, said.
New Stroke Foundation data from the most recent annual F.A.S.T. National Awareness Survey shows that only 11 per cent of Hobart residents and 12 per cent of regional Tasmanians know that inability to lift both arms is a sign of stroke.
"This means the majority of Tasmanians would not know that someone who was having difficulty raising both arms could be having a stroke and they would not act with the urgency needed when a stroke strikes."
The F.A.S.T. acronym highlights the three most common signs of stroke (face, arms, speech). The T stands for time as a reminder that there is no time to waste, stroke is a medical emergency and always a 000 call.
National Stroke Audit data shows that close to 60 per cent of Australian stroke patients present to hospital with arm deficit however inability to lift both arms is consistently the least recognised of the three common signs.
"This is a significant proportion of stroke patients who are arriving to hospital with this particular indicator of stroke so it's concerning that the majority of Tasmanians don't know it's a sign."
"Knowing the signs of stroke is a crucial first step in receiving emergency treatment and increasing the chances of surviving and living well after stroke. By knowing the signs, you recognise a stroke sooner, call an ambulance sooner, and get emergency medical treatment sooner," Mr Hill said.
The wheels are already in motion to improve stroke awareness in Tasmania with Stroke Foundation and the Tasmanian Government working together for the past five years to deliver a community a F.A.S.T Community Education program
As a result, Tasmania has improved its awareness of stroke signs. In the past year alone, Tasmania's awareness of arms as a stroke sign has improved by two per cent which equates to approximately 11,000 more Tasmanians who now know the sign.
"These are promising results that are moving in the right direction, and we are grateful that the Government sees value in our partnership, and what that has done to improve the lives of so many Tasmanians.
"We look forward to building on the success we've had here - there is always more that can be done and Arms April is a great way to start," Mr Hill said.
