Most regional Victorians cannot recognise key sign of stroke

By Georgia Tacey

May 29, 2023

Signs of a stroke: Do you know what the most common symptom is?

New data from the Stroke Foundation shows that most regional Victorians are unable to recognise one of the most common signs of stroke, which presents when the brain is under attack.

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Stroke Foundation chief executive Lisa Murphy said the foundation’s most recent annual survey found that only 11 per cent of regional Victorians were aware that the inability to lift both arms was a sign of stroke, but close to 60 per cent of Australian stroke patients presented to the hospital with arm deficit.

“Inability to lift both arms is one of the most common signs of stroke but it has the least awareness, and we need to change this,” she said.

“A significant proportion of stroke patients are arriving to hospital with this particular indicator of stroke, so it’s concerning that the majority of regional Victorians don’t know it’s a sign.”

Regional Victorians are 17 per cent more likely to have a stroke than people living in metropolitan areas, which is why the Stroke Foundation is urging residents to learn what it looks like.

Dr Murphy is urging regional Victorians to learn the F.A.S.T. acronym, which stands for face, arms, speech and time, and said regional Victorians should especially take note of the arms part.

“Knowing the signs of stroke is a crucial first step in receiving emergency treatment and increasing the chances of surviving and living well after a stroke,” she said.

“Knowing the signs, you recognise a stroke sooner, call an ambulance sooner and get emergency medical treatment sooner.”

By Georgia Tacey

Journalist