Members of the Club took part in the launch of National Stroke Week in Hobart today.

The launch focused on FAST, which stands for Facial weakness, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties, Time to act. It is an easy way to remember the signs of stroke.

Around 30 people acted out the FAST test on Parliament Lawns, Hobart today (13 September) to mark the start of National Stroke Week and to raise awareness of the signs of stroke (picture below).

The FAST test involves three simple questions:

• Face – Can the person smile, has their mouth drooped?
• Arms – Can the person raise both arms?
• Speech – Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?
• Time – Act FAST and call 000 immediately.

If you have difficulty with any of these, act FAST and call 000.

National Stroke Foundation State Manager, Connie Digolis said that FAST action can mean the difference between death or severe disability and a full recovery.

As part of National Stroke Week (15-21 September), the Stroke Foundation aims to distribute 1.3 million FAST wallet cards to help save lives from the country’s second biggest killer.  This equates to the number of people over 40 who responded in a 2007 survey that they did not know any of the signs of stroke.

Displays and information stalls will be held across the state for National Stroke Week.