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. Strokes are a leading cause of death and serious, long-term disability, but many may be prevented, treated and overcome by understanding the risk factors and taking steps toward managing them.
A stroke happens when normal blood flow in the brain is interrupted, causing brain cells to die due to lack of oxygen-rich blood. Dr. Adrian Jaquin-Valdivia, a stroke neurologist at HCA Healthcare and American Stroke Association volunteer expert, stressed the urgency: "When a stroke happens, every minute matters. 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."
The American Stroke Association recommends taking control of brain health with three key steps. First, know the warning signs using the B.E. F.A.S.T. acronym: B for balance loss (sudden difficulty walking, dizziness, or loss of coordination), E for eye changes (sudden vision loss or trouble seeing), F for face drooping (one side droops or feels numb), A for arm weakness (one arm feels weak or drifts downward), S for speech difficulty (slurred speech or trouble speaking), and T for time to call 911 immediately. The association encourages exploring the signs through the interactive, web-based B.E. F.A.S.T. Experience at Stroke.org/StrokeMonth to see what stroke symptoms may look, feel and sound like.
Second, take steps to protect your health. Approximately 80% of strokes are preventable through everyday choices such as eating well, moving more, not smoking, and keeping up with routine health screenings. Managing risk factors with the support of a health care professional can help lower stroke risk.
Third, manage risk factors, particularly high blood pressure, which is the leading risk factor for stroke 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, following a treatment plan and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce stroke risk and support overall brain health. Additionally, having a stroke or mini stroke (Transient Ischemic Attack) increases the chances of a second one, making it crucial to identify the cause and reduce personal risk factors.
For more information on stroke risk factors and warning signs, visit Stroke.org/StrokeMonth, where you can also access stroke support services and subscribe to the Stroke Connection e-newsletter for the latest resources.
