Today marks World Stroke Day and officials in Niagara are working to save more lives.
62,000 people in Canada suffer a stroke each year and while 83% of people survive, 13,000 die.
Niagara Emergency Medical Services, the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada and Niagara Health are teaming up to ensure that more lives are saved from the effects of stroke.
Niagara EMS will raise awareness of the signs of stroke and the importance of acting quickly by placing decals with the signs of stroke acronym ‘FAST’ on their ambulances.
The FAST acronym is an easy way to remember the five signs of stroke: Face: Is it drooping? Arms: Can you raise both? Speech: Is it slurred or jumbled? Time: To call 911 right away.
The ability to recognize the FAST signs of stroke and calling 9-1-1 can mean the difference between life and death, or the difference between a full recovery and lasting disability.