Not so FAST, Islanders slow to recognize signs of stroke

Prince Edward Islanders have some work to do when it comes to recognizing the signs of stroke according to a new report from the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Only about 15% of Islanders know a drooping face or inability to raise arms are signs of a stroke. However, close to 60% of those surveyed by the Heart and Stroke Foundation know slurred speech could be an indication of stroke.

The organization uses FAST to remind Canadians about the signs of stroke: face, arms, speech and T for time to call 911. 

"People do not seem to recognize the signs of stroke," said Dr. Charles Duffy, a spokesperson for the Heart and Stroke Foundation on P.E.I. "And then to not activate the emergency response." 

Dr. Duffy says Islanders are not calling Island EMS when they suspect a person is having a stroke. "We still have a long ways to go there. P.E.I. still has one of the slower responses for activating EMS." 

The report, released Thursday, said many people resist calling 911 because they are worried it may be a false alarm, or they can get to the emergency room on their own.

This means the stroke victim may lose precious time in being assessed and treated, with 1.9 million brain cells dying each minute the brain is starved for blood by a clot. Those cells don't return.

Duffy says paramedics on the Island are trained to recognize the signs of stroke, and can call ahead to tell the emergency room the patient needs a so-called clot busting drug.

He adds the ambulances know to go directly to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown or Prince County Hospital in Summerside where CT scans can quickly establish the damage caused by stroke.