#stroke week

National Stroke Week (September 12-18) is the Stroke Foundation's annual awareness campaign. The focus of this years campaign is to educate Australian's about the impact time has on a stroke. Quickly identifying a stroke can influence the outcome for the individual generating a positive treatment path and recovery time period. During a stroke 1.9 million brain cells are lost every minute and most treatments for stroke are time sensitive. 

Identifying Stroke

The F.A.S.T method promotes the signs to look out for if you think someone may be suffering a stroke.

Face appears drooped

Arms can't be raised

Speech is slurred

Time is vital, call 000 immediately

Preventing Stroke 

One important topic to discuss during stroke week are the risk factors associated with stroke. Cardiovascular diseases including strokes are caused by a number of risk factors. Some of these risk factors are non-modifiable and can't be avoided such as;

Age

Genetic makeup

Ethnic background

Body shape or fat distribution

However, there are many risk factors of stroke that are modifiable and can be changed to help prevent stroke. These include the following lifestyle factors;

Poor diet  (low fruit & vegetable intake, excess intake of saturated fat & salt)

Being overweight or obese

High blood cholesterol

High blood pressure

Smoking

Alcohol

Physical inactivity