National Stroke Week: 2 - 8 August

In 2020, 27,428 Australians experienced stroke for the first time in their lives. That’s one stroke every 19 minutes.  

Of those, 6,535 (1/4 of the total) are first-ever strokes in people aged 54 years and under. 

Stroke is one of Australia’s biggest killers.  It kills more women than breast cancer and more men than prostate cancer.

Now, more than 445,087 Australians are living with the effects of stroke.   Connect Health & Community offers a range of services to support those living with the effects of stroke, including community nursing, physiotherapy and social support groups.

But more than 80 percent of strokes can be prevented.  By lowering blood pressure, staying active, eating well, quitting smoking and drinking in moderation, Australians can greatly lower their risk of stroke.  Talk to your G.P. of you are concerned about any of these factors.

This National Stroke Week, Australians are being urged to learn and share the most common signs of stroke, ‘F.A.S.T.’  Think of the word F.A.S.T. and ask these questions if you suspect someone is having a stroke: 

Face – Check their face.  Has their mouth drooped? 

Arms – Can they lift both arms? 

Speech – Is their speech slurred?  Do they understand you? 

Time – Time is critical.  If you see any of these signs, call triple zero (000) straight away. 

For more information visit the Stroke Foundation at https://strokefoundation.org.au/ or call StrokeLine on 1800 787 653.

For information on how community nursing, physiotherapy or social support groups can help you, visit www.connecthealth.org.au or call us on 03) 9575 5333.