What's happening during Stroke Awareness Month
This May is national Stroke Awareness Month, and we're getting involved to further educate and uplift the community about stroke, prevention methods and how to recognise the signs of stroke.
Do you know how common a stroke is?
At Stroke Aotearoa New Zealand, we are faced with the realities of stroke every day – but too many New Zealanders are unaware of how prevalent stroke is and how it can change lives in an instant.
Stroke is so much more common than people realise. 1 in 4 adults over the age of 25 will experience a stroke themselves in their lifetime. It is a leading cause of adult disability and the second leading cause of death in New Zealand. But despite these numbers, there is hope: up to 90% of strokes are preventable.
This May is Stroke Awareness Month. We’re on a mission to raise awareness around risk factors of stroke and ways you can reduce your risk, and awareness of resources available to stroke survivors – including all the ways that Stroke Aotearoa can support you.
Stroke awareness: promoting risk reduction
One of the key ways you can reduce your risk of stroke is through healthy living. Regular exercise helps you maintain a healthy blood pressure, and it can lower your stroke risk by 25%! To raise awareness of how exercise can reduce stroke risk, this May we’re running a nationwide movement challenge called “The Road to Recovery”. We’ve teamed up with physiotherapist Mark Adams to challenge the public to get involved with the recovery of stroke survivors and recognise their hard work. Challengers will record their level of activity throughout the month of May – whether that’s kilometres cycled, minutes spent walking, or any other form of movement. Funds raised will support Stroke Aotearoa New Zealand’s services, which includes a free helpline for anyone affected by stroke and educating communities about stroke prevention.
Other simple ways you can reduce your risk of stroke include getting your blood pressure checked, reducing your salt intake, quitting smoking, and getting checked for atrial fibrillation. You can learn more about these, as well as other ways to reduce your risk of stroke, on our website.
Stroke awareness: knowing the signs of stroke
Another area that’s critical to increase awareness of is signs of stroke. Together with Health New Zealand, we run the F.A.S.T. campaign, which encourages everyone to learn the signs of stroke. F.A.S.T. stands for: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties and Take action - call 111. It is vital to recognise when someone is having a stroke and get medical attention as soon as possible. The sooner medical treatment begins, the lower the risk that permanent brain damage occurs and there is a better chance of an excellent recovery. If you spot any of these signs, think F.A.S.T. and you could save a life.
Stroke awareness: support available for you
Stroke Aotearoa New Zealand’s mission is to prevent stroke and improve lives. This Stroke Awareness Month, we also want to highlight the resources available to stroke survivors, people who work with the stroke affected community, and anyone interested in learning more about stroke. Stroke Aotearoa runs a free helpline, 0800 STROKE (0800 78 76 53), where anyone – including whānau, caregivers, community workers, and health professionals – can get support and guidance. You can also find free resources, or learn about free events we’re running, on the Stroke Aotearoa website.
This May, get involved with Stroke Awareness Month – whether that’s through signing up for the Road to Recovery, taking some steps to reduce your risk of stroke, or reaching out to our team for support. Together, we can build a stronger, healthier Aotearoa.