Stroke symptoms? Get help fast

Stroke Foundation media release 29 October 2010

The Stroke Foundation is urging people who think they may be having a stroke to get help fast.

Speaking on World Stroke Day, Stroke Foundation CEO Mark Vivian says the majority of New Zealanders do not recognise the signs of a stroke and this contributes to needless deaths each year and poorer outcomes for stroke patients because they don't get to hospital quickly enough.

“Every day about 21 New Zealanders have a stroke.  But our inability to recognise the symptoms of a stroke is costing lives and lifestyles.

“Recent research for the Stroke Foundation by Colmar Brunton showed that only 27 percent of New Zealanders could recognise even one symptom of a stroke, and over a third couldn't identify any symptoms.”

Stroke symptoms include a face that has drooped, one arm or one side of the body being weaker than the other and slurred or jumbled speech.

Mr Vivian says people with stroke symptoms must call an ambulance straight away so they can get to hospital and receive medical treatment quickly.

“Early treatment is crucial.  The sooner treatment is commenced the greater the chance of reducing damage to the brain.  In the case of ischaemic stroke – the most common type of stroke - a drug called tPA is often used to help break down a blood clot and this can greatly reduce the damage caused. This in turn impacts on how quickly and how much a person recovers.

“However, the treatment can only be given to people who are admitted to hospital and assessed within four and a half hours of the onset of their stroke.”

He says the FAST acronym can help people recognise stroke:

• Face – has it drooped?
• Arm – is one arm weaker?
• Speech – is it slurred, jumbled?
• Time – time to act fast.

If you have any of these symptomssymptoms, call 111 immediately, he says.

The theme of World Stroke Day is One in Six, to highlight the fact that in today’s world, one in six people worldwide will have a stroke in their lifetime.

For further information: Mark Vivian, 027 666 1603

Background

Stroke facts and figures

• A stroke is a sudden interruption of blood flow to the brain, causing brain cell damage. Basically, it is a brain attack.
• Stroke is the third largest killer in New Zealand after heart disease and cancer.  
• Each year, about 2000 people die from stroke
• Disabilities from stroke make it one of the highest consumers of hospital beds, services and community support in this country.
• There are an estimated 45,000 stroke survivors in New Zealand, many of whom have disability and need significant daily support.

For more information on stroke see www.stroke.org.nz