Every 40 seconds someone in the United States has a stroke, with approximately 800,000 people experiencing a stroke annually, according to the American Heart Association, making it a leading cause of death and serious, long-term disability. A stroke happens when normal blood flow in the brain is interrupted, causing brain cells to die. However, many strokes may be prevented, treated and overcome by understanding the risk factors and taking steps toward managing them.
“When a stroke happens, every minute matters,” said Dr. Adrian Jaquin-Valdivia, a stroke neurologist at HCA Healthcare and American Stroke Association volunteer expert. “The faster someone gets treatment, the better the chance of saving brain function. On average, nearly 2 million brain cells die every minute a stroke goes untreated. Early treatment improves survival rates and reduces disability.”
To help recognize common warning signs, the American Stroke Association promotes the acronym B.E. F.A.S.T.: B for balance loss, E for eye or vision changes, F for face drooping, A for arm weakness, S for speech difficulty, and T for time to call 911. Even if symptoms go away, calling emergency services immediately is crucial. An interactive B.E. F.A.S.T. Experience is available to see what stroke symptoms may look, feel and sound like.
Approximately 80% of strokes are preventable through healthy lifestyle choices such as eating well, moving more, not smoking, and routine health screenings. High blood pressure is the leading risk factor, according to the 2025 American Heart Association/ACC Guideline for the Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults. Controlling blood pressure through regular checkups, at-home monitoring, and following treatment plans can significantly reduce stroke risk.
Having a stroke or mini stroke (Transient Ischemic Attack) increases the chances of a second one. Identifying the cause and reducing personal risk factors can help protect health. For more information, visit Stroke.org/StrokeMonth for resources, stroke support services, and subscribe to the Stroke Connection e-newsletter.
