The month of May is Stroke Awareness month. The Daytona Beach Fire Department is working with local hospitals and the National Stroke Association to raise awareness and teach the signs and symptoms of a stroke.
About 795,000 people in the U.S. will have a stroke this year. Yet most people cannot identify stroke warning signs or risk factors and most of those strokes are preventable--some studies indicate that up to 80 percent of strokes can be prevented.
Did You Know?
• Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S.
• Stroke is a leading cause of adult long-term disability.
• By 2030, it is estimated that 4 million people will have had a stroke. This is nearly 25
percent higher than 2010 estimates.
• Stroke is an emergency! It’s important to learn stroke warning signs and how to respond to
them. If given within three hours of the first symptom, there is an FDA-approved clot-buster
medication that may reduce long-term disability for the most common type of stroke.
Use FAST to remember the warning signs of stroke:
Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?
Time: If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately.
To find out more information or to schedule a presentation about stroke contact the Daytona Beach Fire Department at 386-671-4000.