Stroke Awareness Week 9-15 September 2013
The Stroke Foundation is trying to reach as many people as possible with the FAST stroke recognition message. At least one third of New Zealanders cant recognise even one sign of stroke. Only about 1 in 10 people can recognise three correct signs of stroke. We need to change that to make sure that as many people as possible with stroke reach hospital in time to be assessed and receive potentially lifesaving treatment.
We would like to help you create a feature for Stroke Awareness Week to bring home the scale and significance of stroke in our communities. We can help find stroke survivors willing to talk to you about their experience and specialists who can explain how to recognise a stroke and how to reduce your risk of stroke.
Stroke is New Zealand's third biggest killer, and one of the highest consumers of hospital beds, services and community support in the country, yet it receives a fraction of the profile and support given to other medical conditions. We need to bring the FAST message to the people of New Zealand to reduce this burden. If there is anything we can do to help you create a topical and thought-provoking piece on stroke, please get in touch.
Notes to editors:
FAST campaign Research has shown that a third of New Zealanders are unable to recognise a single symptom of stroke. A further one in four can only recognise one symptom. Fewer than one in ten Kiwis are capable of naming three symptoms.
By learning the simple FAST symptom check, however, you could easily remember three of the main symptoms and help to save a life.
FAST stands for Face Arms Speech Time: Face Look at the persons face and ask them to try and smile; is one side drooping? Arms Ask them to raise both arms; is one side weak? Speech Ask them to say something simple; are they unable to speak or are the words jumbled or slurred? Time Time to act fast and call 111. Time lost may mean brain lost.
By memorising this simple symptom check everyone should be able to recognise a stroke, and by getting the person to a hospital as quickly as possible you can help reduce the unnecessary toll of death and disability.
STROKE FACTS AND FIGURES
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Stroke Awareness Week 9-15 September 2013