Have you ever wondered what it looks like to have a stroke? Why do we keep saying it is important to learn the signs of stroke through the FAST test? We hope this video will help you to visualise a scenario where someone is having a stroke and what you should do. Please watch it and send it on to friends and family. Let us know what you think by leaving a comment.

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Here at the NSF we are so thrilled that the FAST message is getting out there. After all the hard work spreading the FAST message during National Stroke Week last week, it is heart warming to hear the stories of people who have had better recovery outcomes after their strokes because they recognised the signs and acted FAST.

Our tea room walls are now full of articles about FAST that appeared in papers across the country for National Stroke Week. Each individual story acts as a reminder for why we do the work we do; to stop stroke, save lives and end suffering.

Knowing the signs of stroke empowers you to save the life of someone having a stroke. Click here to forward the FAST wallet card to friends.

National Stroke Week 2012 runs from September 10 - 16.

1 in 6 people will have a stroke – behind these numbers are real lives. Strokes can happen to anyone so it is important to know your stroke risk. We are encouraging all Australians to remember this statistic and understand the six steps to work towards preventing stroke. For more National Stroke Week 2012 For more about FAST the signs of stroke click here.

National Stroke Week has hit the nation this week - with our new FAST campaign hitting your screens, airwaves and even taking to the streets! We kicked off the week with launches in Victoria, Western Australia and Tasmania.

Celebrating the FAST message at the WA launch in Perth

We need to get everybody to learn the signs of stroke and be able to perform the FAST test. Would you know what a stroke looks like? Look out for the feature skit from the VIC launch to be posted soon!

The FAST Challenge was held in Launceston today, where staff of the Launceston General Hospital and Launceston Aquatic helped people understand that by acting FAST they can also save lives.

If you are in Perth, make sure you head down to the Murray St. Mall to visit our FAST stall this Friday all day.

The team here at the NSF has been really busy and super keen to get the message across to the public - Think FAST Act FAST! Staff members colonised the main Melbourne train stations during morning rush hours this week handing out FAST wallet cards to commuters. It was a fantastic sight to see so many people looking down at their cards at the new FAST images and learning the signs of stroke amidst their early morning rush. We hope that arming people with this knowledge will help them to save lives.

FAST wallet card

Have a look at our new FAST campaign TV advertisement on our YouTube channel or Facebook page. We have had really positive feedback so far, with people saying that the images clearly deliver the FAST message. What do you think?

In one of our previous blogs we called out for volunteers to provide peer support to stroke survivors over the phone. We are excited to announce we now have 9 fantastic volunteer stroke survivors and carers who have answered this call. Each of these volunteers will be responsible for taking very important phone calls, from people who have had a stroke and would like to connect with someone who has travelled the stroke recovery journey and understands the challenges they are facing. This will provide stroke survivors and carers with reassurance, encouragement  as well as emotional and practical support. Any questions they have will be answered and they will be made aware of the available services and information that could help them.

StrokeConnect Phone starts on the 15^th of September and the free number to call is 1800 787 653. Watch this space for updates!

We are still looking for volunteers who can take part in StrokeSafe Education - a program where you will provide the community with crucial knowledge to help them understand the signs of stroke and how to prevent a stroke. All you have to do is deliver the talks and attend a free training session - all the material is prepared by us.  If you are interested, please email: strokesafeseminar@strokefoundation.com.au

They say we’re living in the information age, where the potential to know details about almost anything is virtually at our fingertips. But what about the important information that we sometimes forget to track? Everyday important functions of our body that we rely on, but can take for granted. I am referring of course to blood pressure.

The scary fact is that one in three Australians over the age of 25 has high blood pressure. It could easily be you. Are you aware of it? If not, you certainly should be. It is the most important risk factor for having a stroke, and stroke is the country’s second biggest killer and a leading cause of disability. The National Stroke Foundation has a solution to help you track your blood pressure numbers. Every time you have your blood pressure measured at your pharmacy or GP you simply enter your blood pressure reading onto the BP Tracker site.

Through monitoring it with this easy online tool, you will be able to realise if the numbers are gradually getting higher so that you can take action and help to reduce your risk of a stroke.  Now why would you let the most important information slip through the nets of the information age? Make sure you register and start BP Tracking today!