Stroke Awareness Month

Stroke Awareness Month: Recognize the Signs and Act FAST

May is Stroke Awareness Month, dedicated to raising awareness about the risks, signs, and prevention of strokes. Strokes are the second leading cause of death worldwide but are often preventable with a healthy lifestyle and early intervention.

Three Facts:
1. FAST—Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 911—remains the key to recognizing stroke symptoms and saving lives.
2. High blood pressure, smoking, and physical inactivity are leading risk factors for strokes.
3. Strokes affect 1 in every 4 adults globally, yet 80% are preventable through lifestyle changes and proper treatment for underlying conditions like hypertension.

How to Raise Awareness:
1. Teach communities the FAST acronym to identify and address stroke symptoms quickly.
2. Share educational materials emphasizing stroke prevention strategies, including eating well and exercising regularly.
3. Promote free blood pressure screening programs to reduce stroke risk.

Three Resources:
1. American Stroke Association – Advocacy, recovery resources, and educational campaigns.
2. National Stroke Association – Tools for understanding risks, symptoms, and treatment.
3. World Stroke Organization – Information on global stroke prevention and recovery.