Stroke Awareness: Every Minute Matters – Know B.E. F.A.S.T.

Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke, making it a leading cause of death and long-term disability. The American Stroke Association emphasizes that many strokes are preventable, treatable, and survivable through awareness and proactive health management. Dr. Adrian Jaquin-Valdivia, a stroke neurologist at HCA Healthcare and an American Stroke Association volunteer expert, stresses that "every minute matters" when a stroke occurs, as nearly 2 million brain cells die per minute without treatment. The key to reducing stroke impact is recognizing warning signs using the B.E. F.A.S.T. acronym: Balance loss, Eye changes, Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, and Time to call 911. To better understand these symptoms, the association offers an interactive B.E. F.A.S.T. Experience at stroke.org. Additionally, approximately 80% of strokes are preventable through lifestyle choices such as eating well, moving more, not smoking, and managing risk factors like high blood pressure—the leading stroke risk factor. The American Stroke Association provides resources at Stroke.org/StrokeMonth, including stroke support services and the Stroke Connection e-newsletter, to help individuals reduce their risk and improve brain health. For those who have experienced a stroke or TIA (mini-stroke), identifying the cause and managing personal risk factors are crucial to preventing recurrence. This news release, distributed via NOTICIAS NEWSWIRE, highlights the importance of stroke education and prevention, offering actionable steps for the public to protect their health.