F.A.S.T action the difference between life and death

A Canberra woman is urging locals to rethink their misconceptions around stroke after she dismissed her own as a migraine.  

Just 34-years-old at the time, Fiona Morgan was as fit and healthy as she had ever been on Boxing Day of 2016 when her stroke symptoms first began. 

“I was on holidays in Batemans Bay at the time, I was walking down to the beach when I had a shooting pain on the right side of my head, but it went away straight away,” Fiona said. 

“Later on, I was trying to take my dress off when I noticed my arms wouldn’t work properly and I couldn’t pick anything up off the ground.”  

Fiona was experiencing one of the tell-tale signs of a stroke, including the inability to lift her arms. She did not know what had happened but decided to see a local GP. 

“They booked me for a CT scan and sent me on my way, then they called while I was making the long drive back to Canberra and said I should get to hospital for an MRI immediately.” 

“After a number of tests it was revealed I’d had a mini-stroke or TIA which explains why my symptoms were coming and going. 

“As women we often put other people first, or feel like we are overreacting, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. I know I got very lucky, my outcome could have been much worse.” 

Fiona is among the 6,200 survivors of stroke living in the ACT. Around 20 strokes a day impact people aged between 18 and 65.  

To mark National Stroke Week (August 7-13), Stroke Foundation is encouraging the community to fight stroke together by bringing people together to share knowledge, support and resources to help prevent strokes from occurring and to aid in the recovery process for those who have experienced a stroke. 

You can help others by learning and sharing the F.A.S.T. (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) signs of stroke with your family and friends. If you or someone you know experiences the signs of stroke, no matter how long they last, call triple zero (000) immediately. 

Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer Dr Lisa Murphy urged Canberrans to call an ambulance at the first sign of stroke. 

“Everyone’s stroke recovery journey is different and happens at a different rate, but what we do know is the earlier you recognise a stroke and the sooner you seek specialist emergency treatment, the better your chance of recovery,” Dr Murphy said.  

“Time is of the essence. When a stroke strikes, it attacks up to 1.9 million brain cells per minute so acting quickly is crucial and it starts with knowing the F.A.S.T signs.” 

If you suspect someone is having a stroke, think F.A.S.T. and ask these questions:   

• F stands for Face – Check their face. Has their mouth drooped?   

• A stands for arms – Can they lift both arms?   
• S stands for speech – Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?   
• And T stands for Time – Time is critical. If you see any of these signs, call triple 000 straight away.   

National Stroke Week is proudly supported by Major Sponsors: EMVision, AbbVie, and AstraZeneca, and Supporting Sponsors: Precision Group and Rossmax Australia.