RICHMOND, Va. — October 29 is World Stroke Day, a day created to raise awareness of this medical event that affects nearly 800,000 people each year.

Doctors are discovering that strokes can affect people of all ages when something blocks blood from flowing to the brain. The American Heart Association estimates that one in four adults over the age of 25 will have a stroke in their lifetime.

Dr Matthew Boyce of HCA Hospitals said it’s all about recognizing the signs of a stroke, which can be done through the acronym FAST. The F is for monitoring facial drooping and numbness. The A is to see if the person has weakness in their arms. The S is to determine whether there is difficulty speaking or difficulty speaking. Finally, the T is to tell you that if you have any of these symptoms, it’s time to call 911.

“It is very important that you are evaluated urgently because there are therapies and treatments that can be helpful in reducing disability from stroke if given at an early time,” Boyce said. “If you wait too long, it may be too late to do anything.”

Other stroke symptoms may include numbness, confusion, difficulty seeing, difficulty walking, or a severe headache. Boyce said it’s important that people don’t do anything or take anything like aspirin while they wait for help to arrive. He said taking something could interfere with the course of action paramedics and doctors must take.

High blood pressure is a leading cause and controllable risk factor for stroke and heart disease. To help prevent stroke, people should work to lower their blood pressure through lifestyle changes, such as moving more, eating healthily, sleeping healthily, and quitting smoking and vaping. It’s also important to know your family history and talk to your doctor about reducing your personal risk of stroke.

CBBS 6’s Maggi Marshall has partnered with the Central Virginia American Heart Association as an impact leader. Maggi and other leaders will raise money in the coming weeks to fund heart health research and education. You can donate to her campaign by visiting her website.

We shared the voices of those affected by heart disease, including Maggi’s personal connection to the cause, which you can find here.

CBS 6 is committed to sharing community voices on this important topic. Email your thoughts to the CBS 6 Newsroom.

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