Know the signs of a stroke

About 55,000 Australians have strokes every year, 73% of these being first-ever strokes1.

Astroke occurs when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel (artery) and interrupts blood flow to the brain region supplied by that artery or when a blood vessel breaks, and bleeding occurs in an area of the brain. When a stroke happens, more than 1.9 million brain cells die each minute2, but time-critical treatment can stop this damage.

The first step in getting better outcomes from stroke is getting to the hospital quickly, which means recognising the F.A.S.T. signs and calling triple zero (000) straight away.

Check their face. Has their mouth drooped?

Can they lift both arms?

Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?

Time is critical. If you see any of these signs, call triple zero (000) straight away.

Someone who has experienced a stroke may need extra support to return home and reach the same level of independence as before their hospitalisation.

ECH has a number of qualified health professionals experienced in treating older people with various health issues, including overcoming physical barriers to maintaining independence caused by a stroke. We work with our clients to understand their goals and assess and diagnose their condition.

1https://brainfoundation.org.au/ 2https://strokefoundation.org.au/

To learn more about how ECH can help support stroke recovery, call 1300 725 324