May is National Stroke Awareness Month, a time for Piedmont Athens Regional to remind the community that recognizing the warning signs of stroke and seeking care quickly can save lives and reduce disability.
Stroke remains a leading cause of death and long-term disability in the United States. Nearly 800,000 people experience a stroke each year, despite up to 80 percent of strokes being preventable through the management of risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity and physical inactivity.
A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked by a clot or when a blood vessel ruptures. When brain cells are deprived of oxygen, damage begins within minutes. Depending on the area of the brain affected, a stroke can result in problems with vision, movement, speech, memory, cognition or other life-altering complications.
Healthcare leaders continue to urge the public not to delay emergency care when stroke symptoms appear. Piedmont Athens delivers high-quality stroke care, demonstrating compliance with national standards of stroke care and coordinated emergency response.
To help the public recognize stroke symptoms quickly, Piedmont clinicians encourage remembering B.E.F.A.S.T.:
- B — Balance: Sudden loss of balance or coordination
- E — Eyes: Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- F — Face: Facial drooping or uneven smile
- A — Arm: Arm or leg weakness, especially on one side
- S — Speech: Slurred speech, trouble speaking or understanding
- T — Time: Call 9-1-1 immediately if any of these symptoms appear
Additional stroke symptoms may include sudden confusion, a severe headache with no known cause, or loss of consciousness. If you think you or someone else is having a stroke, call 9-1-1 right away.
More information about stroke prevention and treatment is available at:
- E.F.A.S.T. for Stroke: www.befast.org
- American Stroke Association: www.stroke.org
- Piedmont Neurosciences Stroke Care: www.piedmont.org/neurosciences/stroke-home
