The No postcode untouched – stroke in Australia 2017 report estimates there have been 500 strokes this year alone with 4071 survivors living in the electorate – a number set to increase to 7921 by 2050.

While the most concerning statistics related to Farrer, there were also indicators of poor cardiovascular health in Indi, with just under 20 per cent of the population – 27,695 people – living with high blood pressure.

Indi was number 14 in Australia for high blood pressure, and number 15 for high cholesterol.

Stroke Foundation New South Wales state manager Teresa Howarth said in the wake of the report, the foundation was calling for a national prevention strategy.

“Currently, there is one stroke in Australia every nine minutes, by 2050 – without action – this number is set to increase to one stroke every four minutes,’’ she said.

“Stroke doesn’t discriminate, it impacts people of all ages and while more people are surviving stroke, its impact on survivors and their families is far reaching.”

People living regionally are 19 percent more likely to suffer a stroke than those in metropolitan areas.

Ms Howarth said a nationally co-ordinated telemedicine network was needed to increase access to acute stroke treatment.

“It is a tragedy that only a small percentage of NSW stroke patients are getting access to the latest treatments and ongoing specialist care that we know saves lives,” she said.

Remember F.A.S.T to identify signs of stroke:

Has their face drooped? Can they lift both arms? Is their speech slurred and do they understand you? Call triple-0, time is critical.