Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) has issued a warning during National Stroke Week (August 80140) that it is important to act quickly when seeking help for someone who had had or is having a stroke.
CCLHD neurologist Dr Bill O’Brien said acting FAST is crucial.
“When it comes to stroke, most people know to look for signs including a drooping face (F), restricted arm movement (A), and slurred speech (S), but time (T) is also very important,” O’Brien said.
“The sooner someone who is having a stroke receives medical attention, the better the outcome is likely to be.
“Delaying or failing to seek urgent help for stroke can lead to ongoing disability or death.”
The Stroke Team at Gosford Hospital has received a platinum award and three gold awards from the World Stroke Organisation for excellence in stroke care.
Its dedicated team of doctors, nurses and allied health professionals works closely with Ambulance NSW and the emergency department team to ensure patients receive the fastest possible treatment but the community plays a big role too, O’Brien said.
“We thank the Central Coast community for helping us achieve excellence in stroke care by recognising the warning signs and calling triple zero as soon as possible,” he said.
“It’s that quick action that allows us to achieve the best possible outcomes for patients.”
Paul Walsh, 55, of Wyoming experienced a stroke in June and thanks to the fast response of a work colleague was treated very quickly.
“As I pulled into the car park at work I was experiencing a strange sensation on my left side,” Walsh said.
“It was getting worse and worse so I called a colleague for help and she called an ambulance straight away.
“I’m blessed that she did.”
O’Brien said it was that fast response, combined with paramedics calling ahead to Gosford Hospital to prepare the stroke team, that ensured Walsh was able to receive clot-busting treatment to stop the stroke within 30 minutes of arriving at the emergency department.
He was well enough to be discharged from hospital 24 hours later, with only mild post-stroke fatigue.
“I’m really thankful because I have a cousin who had a stroke years ago and she needed to have speech therapy and physiotherapy,” Walsh said.
“I’m not quite back to full capacity yet but I’m getting stronger every day and I was well enough to return to work after two-and-a-half weeks.”
Since his experience, Walsh has made lifestyle changes to improve his health and reduce his risk of stroke in the future, including reducing his alcohol intake and improving his diet and he is in the process of quitting smoking.
“I’m so lucky the outcome wasn’t worse,” he said.
“I’ve used it as a motivator to get healthy.”
Source:
Media release, Aug 8
Central Coast Local Health District