Across Australia, 56,000 people will suffer an initial or subsequent stroke in 2017. That’s 1077 strokes every week, 1 stroke every 9 minutes!
Locally, there are more than 960 cases of stroke per year on the Central Coast.
1 in 6 Coasties will suffer a Stroke at some stage of their lifetime.
It’s Australia’s 2nd biggest killer after coronary heart disease, and a leading cause of disability – accounting for two thirds of all disabilities.
The condition kills more women than breast cancer.
And more men than prostate cancer.
A Stroke is ALWAYS a medical emergency.
During National Stroke Week (September 4-10), Central Coast Local Health District want to spread the word far and FAST. Check for:
Facial Weakness – Can the person smile? Has their eye or mouth drooped?
Arm Weakness – Can the person raise both arms together?
Speech impediments – Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?
Time to seek treatment – Ring 000 and go to your nearest hospital.
[Info and Image credit: National Stroke Foundation]
Other signs of stroke may include any or all of these:
- Weakness/numbness/paralysis of the face, arm or leg on either or both sides of the body
- Difficulty swallowing
- Difficulty speaking or understanding
- Dizziness, loss of balance, an unexplained fall
- Loss of vision, sudden blurring or decreased vision in 1 or both eyes
- Headache, usually severe and abrupt onset or change in the pattern of headaches
A stroke happens when blood supply to the brain is interrupted. Stroke can also be prevented.
The signs of stroke may occur alone or in combination and they can last a few seconds or up to 24 hours and then disappear.
As Stroke can affect any age – from newborns to older teenagers. Sometimes strokes occur in babies before they are born. In fact, 30% of Australians who suffer a stroke are under the age of 60!
Almost 440,000 Australians are living with the effects of Stroke, this is predicted to be over 700,000 by 2032- or 2.9% of the population.
So Coasties young and old need to be aware of what the early warning signs are for stroke and how early intervention can save lives and permanent disability…
If you see someone suffering what you suspect is a Stroke, you need to act FAST! Worrying new statistics have found only 36% of Australians who suffer a stroke reach hospital within the 4.5 hour window for critical clot-busting treatment.
All strokes, regardless of age, are a result of disruption of blood going to/from the brain, resulting in brain cells in the area dying and the potential of permanent damage.
Have a health check during Stroke Week at
- BATEAU BAY Pharmacy
- COORANBONG Pharmacy & Compounding
- Phillips Pharmacy GOSFORD
- KANWAL Village Pharmacy
- Priceline Pharmacy KINCUMBER
- LAKE MUNMORAH Pharmacy
- Priceline Pharmacy MORISSET
- TOUKLEY Amcal Pharmacy
Or attend an event across the Coast at:
- GOSFORD Hospital, Speech Pathology Department
- WYONG Hospital, Medical 3
- John’s Pharmacy LONG JETTY
StrokeLine’s health professionals provide information and advice on stroke treatment, prevention and recovery, 1800 787 653.
‘Enable Me’ is a website dedicated to stroke recovery and support. There are loads of tips, tricks and tools that have been shared by other stroke survivors.
For more, visit the National Stroke Foundation’s website here
