The American Heart Association (heart.org) knows that every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. has a stroke and 1 in 4 stroke survivors will have another one. During May, American Stroke Month, the American Stroke Association is raising awareness that a stroke is largely preventable, treatable and beatable.
3 Ways to Beat a Stroke:
- Spot a Stroke F.A.S.T.: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty—Time to call 911.
- Know Your Blood Pressure: Keep it in a healthy range to reduce stroke risk.
- Prevent Another Stroke: Talk to your doctor about managing risk factors.
A stroke happens when blood flow in the brain is interrupted, causing cell death. Quick identification and treatment increase survival and recovery chances. Having a stroke increases the risk of a second one. Identify your risk factors to reduce this risk.
Stroke risk is higher among Black and Hispanic adults due to unmanaged factors like high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes. Education and lifestyle changes, such as moving more, eating smart and managing conditions like AFib, can prevent strokes.
Spot a Stroke F.A.S.T.:
• Face Drooping: Uneven smile?
• Arm Weakness: One arm drifts downward?
• Speech Difficulty: Slurred speech or hard to understand?
• Time to Call 911: Get medical attention immediately.
Test your knowledge with the F.A.S.T. Experience, a digital series of games and activities to educate on stroke warning signs.
Prevent stroke now, so you can be there later. Learn more at Stroke.org/StrokeMonth.