This week 31st August – 6th September is National Stroke Week.
Stroke Statistics
- Every two seconds, someone somewhere in the world experiences a stroke.
- 1 in 6 people will experience a stroke some time in their lives.
- Strokes deprive brain cells of oxygen and are one of the most common causes of death and a leading cause of preventable disability.
Currently, around 56,000 Australians have a stroke each year; more than 100 every day. The rates of people dying from stroke have dropped significantly over the last 30 years, however still around 10,600 Australians die of stroke each year.
There are around 475,000 stroke survivors alive today, and of these, around ½ suffer from a disability affecting their daily life.
The 2 Types of Strokes
- Haemorrhagic Strokes are when a punctured vessel allows blood to leak out.
- The Ischemic Stroke being the most common, is when a blood clot blocks a vessel and brings blood flow to a stop.
How do the causes of stroke occur?
In some cases, a change in the rhythm of the heart prevents the upper chambers from contracting normally. This in turn slows down blood flow, allowing platelets (tiny blood cells) which the body naturally produces, to form clots to stop bleeding. Alongside this, the body creates a protein called fibrin; a fibrous mesh that also stops blood flow. This combination leads to a clot which can travel up into the arteries and blood vessels, blocking blood flow and oxygen to the brain.
What are the symptoms of a stroke?
- Slurred Speech
- Paralysis of one side of the body
- Blurred vision
- Fatigue
When someone experiences a stroke, quick medical care is critical, and can often help avoid permanent brain damage.
To recognise a stroke… think F.A.S.T
- F: Has their FACE drooped?
- A: Can they lift both ARMS?
- S: Is their SPEECH slurred and do they understand you?
- T: Call 000, TIME is critical!
What can you do if you’ve experienced a stroke and need support getting back into the workplace?
When it comes to finding a job, you have to first look at your physical abilities and how they’ve been affected. The main issue that you may find is fatigue, as it can affect your ability to work for extended periods of time.
Another thing to focus on is your awareness. This can be impaired due to stroke, which in turn can make it difficult for you to decipher which tasks you may find difficult in the workplace. So the best option is to talk to a doctor, health professional or rehabilitation consultant.
How can ProActiv help?
If you have had a stroke and are on jobseeker payments, or if you are on the disability pension due to your condition, and you would like some help in finding a sustainable job, ProActiv can help you to find one.
Or if you are on the NDIS and require general support, we can help you also.
Call us on 08 8362 4507 or email admin@proactivpeople.com.au to find out more information.
For a quick video on what happens during a stroke, click on the link below:
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