Nurses are often called “unsung heroes”, working as they do at the coalface of myriad health issues that impact on people’s lives temporarily and permanently.
Strokes and heart attacks are two care specialities for nurses, and two of the main causes of long-term disability.
Almost half a million Australians are living with the aftermath of strokes, which kill tens of thousands of people every year.
Northern Hospital nurse Anne Rodda is one of 20 finalists in the National Stroke Foundation’s 2014 ‘stroke-care champion’ award, having been selected from more than 70 others around the country.
Her big “push”, Ms Rodda said, was to increase awareness about the signs of an impending stroke.
“The first four-and-a-half hours after the start of symptoms are critical,” she said.
Symptoms include facial droop, weakness on one side that makes lifting arms difficult, not being able to walk, changes in vision, and speech that is suddenly slurred or nonsensical. The best response is to call triple-0 immediately.
And the best preventative is to know your blood pressure. High blood pressure is “the big thing”, along with high cholesterol levels, smoking and an irregular heart beat, she said.
Stress, diet and a lack of exercise all add to risk factors for stroke. Ms Rodda said the development of a thrombolysis service meant Northern Hospital’s stroke care unit was growing bigger and busier all the time.
“We want a healthier northern community,” she said.
The ‘stroke care champion’ award winner will be announced at the Stroke Society of Australasia Conference on July 31.
