Know the Signs: Why Stroke Awareness Saves Lives

Photography by James Moore

Ozarks Healthcare neurologist shares critical reminders during National Stroke Month

During a stroke, every second matters.

With May recognized as National Stroke Month, physicians at Ozarks Healthcare are urging patients and families to learn the warning signs of stroke—and what actions to take when symptoms strike.

“People should learn to recognize the signs of stroke, not just for themselves,” said Dr. Clara Applegate, neurologist with Ozarks Healthcare. “If you’re having a stroke, you usually can’t talk, so someone else has to be able to recognize what’s happening and act. I think a lot of people still don’t realize that stroke is treatable, but time is critically important.”

The American Heart Association defines a stroke as a disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel carrying oxygen and nutrients becomes blocked or bursts. Without oxygen, brain cells begin to die quickly.

Dr. Applegate shared that the well-known acronym FAST has been updated to BE FAST to help people remember stroke symptoms and when to seek emergency care:

B – Balance
“BE FAST starts with balance,” Applegate said. “Just being dizzy is one thing, but if you're off-balance, that’s a strong suspicion of stroke.”

E – Eyes
“A stroke patient may experience trouble seeing, usually to one side or even just out of one eye.”

F – Face
“Ask the person to smile to see if their smile is crooked.”

A – Arms
“Ask the person to raise both arms. If one drifts downward or feels weak, it could be a sign of stroke.”

S – Speech
“If someone’s speech is slurred, hard to understand, or they have trouble forming words, that’s a red flag.”

T – Time to call 911
“When you dial 911, you activate the stroke team,” Applegate said. “That way, from the moment you call to the moment you arrive at the hospital, everyone is treating this as an emergency. At the hospital, we meet you at the door and take you straight to a CT scan from the ambulance—because every minute counts.”

While medical advancements have helped improve stroke survival rates, Applegate emphasized that prevention remains the best treatment. The AHA estimates that 80% of strokes are preventable.

“When we talk about prevention, it’s things people have heard before,” Applegate said. “Control your blood pressure, eat healthy, and get 30 minutes of exercise five days a week. Not only do you reduce your risk of stroke and heart attack—you also reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Number one is blood pressure, and number two is exercise.”