Wide Bay region taking a risk with stroke awareness

Concerning new Stroke Foundation data has found the Queensland region of Wide Bay is going backwards when it comes to recognising the top modifiable risk factors of stroke.

The foundation’s most recent F.A.S.T. (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) National Awareness survey, completed by YouGov, tests Australians’ awareness of the signs and risks of stroke. It found that the number of people who know that high blood pressure, smoking and stress are risk factors of stroke has decreased by six, nine and seven per cent respectively while high cholesterol has stagnated.

Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Dr Lisa Murphy, says this is of great concern.

“Eighty per cent of strokes are preventable but without knowing what the risks are, you are unlikely to make the necessary changes to your lifestyle to reduce your risk. These include quitting smoking, exercising more and eating a healthy, balanced diet.”

In the Wide Bay region, there are more than 31,000 people living with high blood pressure which is one of the leading causes of stroke and a leading risk factor for Australia’s other top three killers; coronary heart disease and dementia.

“I cannot stress enough the importance of having regular health and blood pressure checks to firstly identify if you have high blood pressure and then work with your GP on ways to reduce your blood pressure and control it.”

“The good news is you can control your blood pressure by changing your diet and lifestyle, particularly through regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy diet and weight,” Dr Murphy said.

The survey also found that the number of Wide Bay residents who know that facial droop is one of the F.A.S.T. signs of stroke has decreased by two per cent in one year, from 54 per cent to 52 per cent.

“This might not seem like a big drop but what it is telling us is that fewer people in the Wide Bay region would recognise a stroke and might not know that it is a medical emergency that requires you to call 000. Stroke is always a medical emergency and every minute counts when it is happening.”

“When a stroke strikes, it attacks up to 1.9 million brain cells per minute. Acting quickly and getting emergency treatment by calling 000 can be the difference between surviving and living well after stroke or death and long-term disability,” Dr Murphy said.