Arabic version: ناجٍ من السكتة الدماغية يدعو إلى استجابة أسرع لعلامات التحذير

According to ABC News, Sunshine Coast concreter Dru Arnold suffered three strokes over 24 hours before receiving hospital treatment, and now wants to help others recognise symptoms and act quickly.

The 39-year-old experienced slurred speech and a migraine but initially tried to sleep it off. After his wife called an ambulance, doctors also found evidence that he had suffered a stroke two years earlier. Seven months after his February emergency, Mr Arnold has mostly recovered, although his speech remains affected.

Stroke nurse Danika Lloyd said Mr Arnold was “very lucky”, particularly because of the delay in seeking care. Sunshine Coast University Hospital stroke clinical nurse consultant Bailey McNamara said time was the most critical factor in stroke survival, as patients who wait at home can miss the window for hyper-acute treatment such as clot-busting medication.

Queensland Health ranks stroke among the leading causes of death in Australia. In 2024, strokes claimed 9,147 lives and affected someone on average every 11 minutes. Stroke Foundation Australia’s Kelvin Hill said strokes were increasing among people under 65, citing obesity and rising diabetes as factors contributing to earlier strokes for some people.

Mr Hill said facial droop, arm weakness, slurred speech, headaches and brain fog can indicate a stroke. Ms McNamara said 80 per cent of strokes could be prevented through measures including healthy eating, exercise, monitoring cholesterol and blood pressure, regular GP check-ins, and managing heart conditions or diabetes. Mr Arnold said recognising signs in another person could save their life.