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| Mark Vivian - CEO of The Stroke Foundation |
Mark Vivian, CEO of The Stroke Foundation national office (pictured here) told Wellington South Rotarians at this week's meeting to try to recognise a stroke very quickly like this:
· F for FACE: smile – is one side drooping?
· A for ARMS: raise both arms – is one side weak?
· S for SPEECH: words jumbled, slurred? Unable to speak?
· T for TIME: act fast and call 111 immediately! Get to hospital within 4.5 hours.
1 in 8 New Zealanders will have a stroke at some time in their lives. A third of those will have serious disabilities as a result. Because the brain is affected, it follows that cognitive processes, emotions and physical ability can all be impaired. The good news is that the incidence of stroke is actually decreasing in this country. High blood pressure gives rise to a third of all strokes. Alcohol intake, diet and smoking all contribute too. Hence the project on Saturday 14th May at supermarkets (see below) when 10% of the participants will be invited to engage in longer-term monitoring of their blood pressure. Stroke victims and their carers (family) need active social support from others, to avoid social isolation which is the biggest social impact of stroke.
For more information please contact Malcolm (RC of Tawa) or Derek (RC of Paraparaumu)
