Snellville, Ga. (May 7, 2024) – Every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. has a stroke. Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death in all Americans & the No. 3 cause of death in American women. Stroke is also the leading cause of adult disability and has a large impact on society, with more than 9 million stroke survivors throughout the U.S. May is Stroke Awareness Month and Piedmont Eastside wants you to stay on top of your health and know the signs of stroke.
“The faster a stroke is recognized and treatment is provided to restore blood flow to the brain the greater the chance disability will be reduced,” said Alexandra Durden, Stroke and STEMI Manager for Piedmont Eastside Medical Center. “We want people in the community to be familiar with the warning signs and symptoms of stroke, as well as the risk factors. While some risk factors such as age and race cannot be changed, 80 percent of strokes are preventable with lifestyle changes.”
A stroke occurs when a blood vessel carrying blood to the brain is either blocked or bursts, preventing oxygen and nutrients from getting to the brain, causing brain cells to die. As a result, brain injury occurs and causes changes in how we move, feel, think, and behave. A stroke is a medical emergency which requires immediate treatment to minimize the long-term effects of a stroke and even prevent death.
Use the acronym B.E.F.A.S.T. for recognizing a stroke:
B - Balance: Watch for sudden loss of balance
E - Eyes: Check for sudden vision changes
F - Face: Look for an uneven smile
A - Arm: Check if one limb is suddenly weak
S - Speech: Listen for sudden slurred speech
T - Time: Call 9-1-1 right away
Piedmont Eastside has been recognized for providing excellent stroke care and has been certified as a Primary Stroke Center by the American Heart Association. The hospital also has been awarded yearly Get with the Guidelines Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite awards, which ensure the facility has demonstrated excellence in the care of stroke patients.
More information on stroke can be found at the following websites:
• B.E. F.A.S.T for Stroke: Befast.org
• American Stroke Association: Stroke.org
Learn more information on stroke or cardiovascular services at Piedmont Eastside.