Ahead of National Stroke Week (2-8 August), Blooms the Chemist is urging Aussies to refamiliarise themselves with the warnings signs of stroke and to get their stroke risk assessed, especially given that according to the Stroke Foundation, 80% of strokes are preventable through lifestyle changes and regular health checks.
Eric Chan, Head of Pharmacy at Blooms The Chemist says that the pharmacy network is on a mission to raise awareness that strokes are largely preventable and offers in-pharmacy tests and assessments for customers.
“We are committed to supporting the optimal health of our communities and prevention is one of our key priorities,” he says.
“We have a wide range of complimentary assessments and health checks to help limit the risk of stroke and other conditions including the Stroke Risk Assessment, Blood Pressure Evaluation and Cholesterol Screening.”
Blooms The Chemist, in partnership with the Stroke Foundation, wants to educate Australians around the most common signs of stroke by thinking F.A.S.T:
- Face: Check their face. Has their 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 000 straight away.
“Knowing the signs of stroke using the F.A.S.T. Test and seeking immediate medical attention can be life-changing,” says Mr Chan.
“Throughout every minute of a stroke, 1.9 million brain cells are attacked. Every single second counts during a stroke, with the outcome depending greatly on how quickly medical treatment occurs.”
If you are unsure of your risks of experiencing a stroke, talk to your health practitioners and local Blooms The Chemist Pharmacists about reducing your chances of having a stroke.
Blooms The Chemist offers a free Stroke Risk Assessment.
It takes less than 10 minutes and is an initial step toward stroke risk prevention.
Your pharmacist will take your blood pressure and ask a series of simple lifestyle, familial history, and age-related questions, to assess your overall risk of stroke.
