Concerning new data from Stroke Foundation has revealed fewer Australians than ever before know to call triple zero when a stroke strikes.
Stroke Foundation’s National F.A.S.T. Awareness Survey found that 74 per cent of Aussies say they would call 000 as a first action when witnessing or experiencing a stroke; the lowest level on record since the survey began in 2019.
Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Dr Lisa Murphy says, this is a troubling statistic. “When a stroke strikes, it kills up to 1.9 million brain cells per minute which means there’s no time to waste. Minutes spent hesitating to call an ambulance can make the difference between survival and dying or living with lasting complex disabilities. If you suspect a stroke, call the ambulance by dialling triple zero (000) immediately. It could be the most important call you make in your life.”
Stroke is one of Australia’s leading causes of death and disability, with around 46,000 stroke events impacting Australians of all ages every year – that’s one stroke every 11 minutes.
“Stroke may strike you, your loved one, a friend, or a colleague any time. The most important action you can take for that person is pick up your phone to dial triple zero without delay and get them immediate emergency treatment,” Dr Murphy said.
“For every 15 minutes saved in restoring blood flow to the brain, one month of healthy life is gained so it is critical to act quickly and get emergency treatment as soon as possible.”
The survey also found that younger Australians aged 18 to 44 are less likely to call triple zero as their first action compared with older Australians aged 45 and over.
“There is a misconception that stroke only affects older Australians, and this is just not so. Stroke doesn’t discriminate and can happen at any age without warning. Around 1 in 4 strokes affect working age Aussie, and around 500 babies and children experience a stroke every year. Stroke is not an issue to be complacent about. We need everyone to arm themselves with knowledge around what a stroke is and what to do if you have or witness a stroke,” Dr Murphy said.
Dr Murphy is urging all Australians to learn the signs of stroke and know to call the ambulance without delay.
F is for face- is their face drooping
A is for arms- can they lift both arms?
S is for speech- is their speech slurred
T stands for time- call triple zero immediately.
