Taking a quick non-invasive test next time you visit your GP could change your life and that of your entire family. Not taking that test could do the same – but not in a good way. It’s that simple.
Speaking at VITALITY Sydney’s Health and Wellbeing Show, our Moral Maze Panel: Psychologist Jo Lamble; TV presenter and Advocate for the National Stroke Foundation Chris Bath; Karen Lawson and Nedahl Stelio discuss the effects of Stroke on Young Australians.
While this video was shot a few years back – 2016 in fact, the message about Stroke awareness is still as important as ever. Please note: Chris Bath is currently working at Network Ten, Nedahl Stelio is the founder of the organic perfume house Recreation Beauty and Karen Lawson is a consultant, and Jo Lamble runs a successful pychology practice and writes books.
A few facts about Stroke which should make you stop and think:
- It is Australia’s second biggest killer and the biggest cause of disability.
- 1 in 6 Australians will suffer a Stroke in their lifetime.
- Stroke kills more women than breast cancer and more men than prostate cancer.
- And Stroke does not discriminate, it impacts men and women of any age.
- High blood pressure is one of the biggest preventable risk factors of Stroke, along with eating well, keeping a healthy weight, not smoking and getting regular exercise, but alarmingly 64% of Australians have three or more of those risk factors.
And yet we rarely hear anything about the illness in the media…
When Chris Bath’s Dad, Don, suffered a massive Stroke in 2009 it changed everything about the way the family lived their lives. With her beloved Dad paralysed down one side of his body, her Mum became his carer and it woke Chris to the realities of this killer disease. She admits that even as a journalist she knew little about the disease at the time and led to her work as an Ambassador for the Australian Stroke Foundation, in order to raise awareness about the potential dangers most of us will face at some point.
Chris Bath and her father Don.
Karen Lawson stresses that since 30% of stroke survivors are under 65 years of age (so still working), it is imperative that more is done about raising awareness in the workplace – since filming this video, she has set about ensuring CareerOne employees are made aware of the importance of getting a simple blood pressure check and adhering to a healthy lifestyle. While Nedahl Stelio adds that getting healthy and remaining that way is good for your mental as well as physical health.
Thankfully, access to the right quality treatment fast improves the outcomes, so what should people do if they suspect they or someone they know is having a stroke?
FAST is an easy way to remember and recognise the signs of stroke.
Face – Has the persons mouth drooped?
Arms – Can they lift both arms?
Speech – Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?
Time – Time is critical. If you see any of these signs call, triple zero (000).
To find out more, go to the National Stroke Foundation.
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