IT’S National Stroke Week (August 7-13) and Canberra woman Fiona Morgan is urging locals to rethink their misconceptions around stroke after she dismissed her own as a migraine.

Just 34-years-old at the time, she was as fit and healthy as she had ever been on Boxing Day of 2016 when her stroke symptoms first began.

“I was on holidays in Batemans Bay at the time, I was walking down to the beach when I had a shooting pain on the right side of my head, but it went away straight away,” Fiona said.

“Later on, I was trying to take my dress off when I noticed my arms wouldn’t work properly and I couldn’t pick anything up off the ground.”

Fiona was experiencing one of the tell-tale signs of a stroke, including the inability to lift her arms. She did not know what had happened but went to see a local GP.

“They booked me for a CT scan and sent me on my way, then they called while I was making the long drive back to Canberra and said I should get to hospital for an MRI immediately.”

“After a number of tests it was revealed I’d had a mini-stroke or TIA which explains why my symptoms were coming and going.

“I got very lucky, my outcome could have been much worse.”

Fiona is among the 6200 survivors of stroke living in the ACT. Around 20 strokes a day impact people
aged between 18 and 65.

Stroke Foundation CEO Dr Lisa Murphy urged Canberrans to call an ambulance at the first sign of stroke.

“Everyone’s stroke recovery journey is different and happens at a different rate, but what we do know is
the earlier you recognise a stroke and the sooner you seek specialist emergency treatment, the better
your chance of recovery,” Dr Murphy said.

“Time is of the essence. When a stroke strikes, it attacks up to 1.9 million brain cells per minute so acting
quickly is crucial and it starts with knowing the F.A.S.T signs.”

• F stands for Face – Check their face. Has their mouth drooped?
• A stands for arms – Can they lift both arms?
• S stands for speech – Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?
• And T stands for Time – Time is critical. If you see any of these signs, call triple 000 straight
away.