• Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Local History
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Read Our Newspapers Online
    • Read the Latest Western Port News
    • Read the Latest Mornington News
    • Read the Latest Southern Peninsula News
    • Read the Latest Frankston Times
    • Read the Latest Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Trending
  • Susan Bissinger set for council seat after recount
  • Redlegs outrun Frankston Bombers
  • Rye prevail after a last quarter blitz
  • Table-topping start for local trio
  • Miss Inbetween gets the chocolates on Easter Monday
  • Bank manager grows ‘very fine’ potatoes
  • Reflections on going back home
  • Holidays are for fun and learning
Facebook Twitter
MPNEWS MPNEWS
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Local History
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
MPNEWS MPNEWS
Home»News»Recognising stroke the FAST way
News

Recognising stroke the FAST way

By MP News GroupMarch 29, 2021Updated:March 30, 2021No Comments3 Mins Read
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

THE Stroke Foundation wants Mornington Peninsula residents to learn how to recognise signs of a stroke and to immediately call triple zero (000) for help.

The foundation uses the acronym  the FAST (face arms speech and time) to highlight the signs of stroke and what to do about them.

Stroke survivor Lindy Cooke, of Flinders, said stroke was always a time-critical medical emergency that needed urgent intervention.

“By learning the FAST signs of stroke, you could save the life of a friend, family member or neighbour,” Ms Cooke said.

Ms Cooke was born with a hole in her heart and developed atrial fibrillation when aged 12, and 14 years later was fitted with a permanent pacemaker.

When she was 47, Ms Cooke suffered a stroke due to atrial fibrillation, which is a major risk factor for stroke.

After the stroke Lindy she unable to walk, use her left hand, swallow or sit upright. After many weeks of rehabilitation, Ms Cooke returned home and regained her independence. Since then she has started the Mornington Peninsula Stroke Support Group.

The latest warning comes after an online survey found that only 29 per cent of peninsula residents could recognise facial droop as a sign of stroke unprompted.

Stroke Foundation Victorian sate manager Eamonn O’Toole said these numbers were “incredibly concerning” as the federal electorate of Flinders (which encompasses the peninsula) was a stroke hot spot.

He said an estimated 192 new strokes were expected to be experienced by the people within the electorate this year while 3198 residents are already living with the effects of stroke.

“The first step in ensuring better outcomes from stroke is getting to hospital quickly, and that means recognising the FAST signs and calling triple zero (000) immediately,’’ Mr O’Toole said.

“When a stroke strikes the brain, it kills up to 1.9 million brain cells a minute, but quick treatment can stop this damage. Time saved in calling an ambulance and accessing treatment for stroke is brain saved.

“Stroke can strike anyone of any age, even babies and children can have strokes.”

Mr O’Toole said stroke was one of Australia’s biggest killers and a leading cause of disability, “but stroke can be prevented, and it can be treated”.

The FAST test outlined by the Stroke Foundation:

Face: Check their face. Has their mouth drooped?

Arms: Can they lift both arms?

Speech: Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?

Time is critical.

If you see any of these signs call triple zero (000) immediately.

First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 30 March 2021

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

Related Posts

Fire season ends

April 12, 2021

State on the road to mobile detection

April 12, 2021

Hospital’s new clinic for musculoskeletal illness

April 12, 2021

Safety beach rocks – for protection

April 12, 2021
Add A Comment

Comments are closed.

Weather
Apr 18, 2021 - Sun
Mornington, Australia
14°C
few clouds
few clouds
1 m/s, WSW
86%
766.57 mmHg
sun04/18 mon04/19 tue04/20 wed04/21 thu04/22
scattered clouds
16/14°C
sky is clear
17/17°C
moderate rain
12/11°C
light rain
13/13°C
light rain
15/14°C
Peninsula Essence Magazine

Click here to read

March 29, 2021
Peninsula Kids Magazine

Click here to read

February 25, 2021
Property of the Week

Horizon sets new goal for property prices

January 11, 2021
Council Watch

Susan Bissinger set for council seat after recount

April 13, 2021

Brown coal to hydrogen: responsible or risky?

April 12, 2021
Interview

People of faith sound alarm on climate

March 15, 2021
Contact
Street: 63 Watt Road, Mornington, 3931
Mailing: PO Box 588, Hastings, 3915
Menu
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Local History
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
About

Established in 2006, Mornington Peninsula News Group (MPNG) is a locally owned and operated, independent media company.

MPNG publishes five weekly community newspapers: the Western Port News, Mornington News, Southern Peninsula News, Frankston Times and Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News.

MPNG also publishes two glossy magazines: Peninsula Essence and Peninsula Kids.

Facebook Twitter
© 2021 Mornington Peninsula News Group.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.