Stroke professionals call for friends and whānau to act fast to save lives

Two health professionals who work with stroke patients in Southland are encouraging people to be proactive when they recognise stroke symptoms, rather than in hindsight regret what they might have done differently.  This applies not only to the person experiencing the symptoms but also to family and friends who can help save the life of their loved one.

Nibi Thomas, Stroke Clinical Nurse Specialist at Southland Hospital and Kristin Lobb, Community Stroke Advisor with the New Zealand Stroke Foundation (Southland) both have stories of patients now living with disabilities as a result of a stroke, who may have had better outcomes if they had sought hospital treatment immediately.

Nibi Thomas, Stroke Clinical Nurse Specialist at Southland Hospital and Kristin Lobb, Community Stroke Advisor with the New Zealand Stroke Foundation (Southland).

Nibi cares for patients in hospital and upon discharge, where appropriate, refers them to Kristin who continues to support them with their lives back in the community.  Kristin helps them to understand what has happened to them, provides education and support, and can put them in touch with other people who have also had a stroke.  Many of these patients have ongoing disability caused by the stroke.

“When people are having a stroke they might be feeling funny or a bit tingly, so they may discount what is happening, despite the fact that they’re experiencing a ‘brain attack’. They sometimes minimise the symptoms and decide to have a rest instead of going to hospital.

“Often we find a friend or family member wants to take them to hospital, but the patient may be experiencing fear and denial and is not keen to go.  This is why it is important for us to educate the wider public about strokes,” Kristin says.

Sometimes people don’t want to go to hospital because they are worried about what they are wearing, or that their hair is not done, or they don’t think their situation warrants calling an ambulance.

“They need to understand a stroke is a brain attack and a medical emergency – don’t worry about what you are wearing, call an ambulance and go to hospital.  The longer the time until treatment, the more damage can occur.  You have to get treatment really quickly to get the best outcome,” Nibi says.

They explain how disabilities resulting from a stroke damage patients’ confidence, and disrupt their lives and relationships.  Disabilities can include weakness or paralysis on one side, or trouble with memory, speech and communication, which are especially difficult and frustrating for people.

“People say that they have lost confidence and they go through a grief process because there is a sense of loss of the life they had.  It affects so many things,” Kristin says.

They encourage Southlanders to know the signs of stroke, think FAST:

F    Face - is their face drooping on one side? 

A    Arm - is one arm weak? 

S    Speech - is their speech mixed up, slurred or lost?

T    Take Action - call 111. 

Another less common sign of stroke is a sudden change in someone’s vision, Kristin says.

“I see a number of people who have experienced visual field loss.  Any sudden changes in vision are serious and should be investigated immediately.

“Sometimes the person having a stroke can’t do much to help themselves, but family and friends can save their life. To save a family member, take action and call 111 straight away. Immediate treatment gives them the opportunity for the best outcome,” she says.

Southlanders can access community support and education about strokes from the New Zealand Stroke Foundation (Southland) based in Southland Community House, 46 Kelvin Street, Invercargill.  People can be referred by health professionals, social workers, family and friends, or they can self-refer.  Contact Kristin Lobb, Community Stroke Advisor on 214-5439 or southland@stroke.org.nz