Could You Recognize a Stroke? What Everyone Should Know During Stroke Awareness Month

May is Stroke Awareness Month — and at Norman Regional Health System, we believe this is one of the most important health conversations we can have all year. Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of long-term disability. Yet according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), up to 80% of strokes are preventable.

That means the actions you take today — the habits you build, the numbers you know, and the warning signs you recognize — can genuinely save your life or the life of someone you love.

What Is a Stroke, and Why Does It Happen?

A stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted, either by a clot blocking an artery (ischemic stroke, the most common type) or by a blood vessel rupturing (hemorrhagic stroke). When brain cells are deprived of oxygen-rich blood, they begin to die within minutes. That's why time is the single most critical factor in stroke survival and recovery.

Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke. Every 3.5 minutes, someone dies from one. These numbers are sobering — but they're also a powerful reason to act now, during Stroke Awareness Month, before a crisis occurs.

Know the Warning Signs: BE FAST

One of the most life-saving things you can do is learn to recognize a stroke as it's happening. Many people are familiar with sudden numbness on one side of the body, but stroke symptoms can be broader and less obvious. A simple acronym — BE FAST — can help you remember them:

• B — Balance: Sudden loss of balance, dizziness, or difficulty walking
• E — Eyes: Sudden vision changes, blurred vision, or loss of sight in one or both eyes
• F — Face: Facial drooping or an uneven smile, especially on one side
• A — Arms: Weakness or numbness in one arm; ask the person to raise both arms — does one drift downward?
• S — Speech: Slurred speech, mumbling, or difficulty understanding others
• T — Time: Time to call 9-1-1 immediately. Do not wait to see if symptoms pass.

Even if symptoms seem to resolve on their own, call 911 anyway. A brief episode of stroke-like symptoms — called a transient ischemic attack (TIA) — is a serious medical warning that a full stroke may be imminent. Every minute counts, and patients who receive emergency treatment quickly experience significantly better outcomes.

The Cardiology Connection: Your Heart and Your Stroke Risk

Stroke and heart disease share many of the same underlying risk factors, which is why cardiologists play a critical role in stroke prevention. Conditions that affect the health of your cardiovascular system — including high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation (AFib), high cholesterol, and coronary artery disease — all significantly elevate your stroke risk.

High blood pressure (hypertension) is the single biggest controllable risk factor for stroke. When blood pressure is consistently elevated, it puts excess strain on artery walls, making them more susceptible to damage, clotting, and rupture. Many people have high blood pressure without knowing it, because it often produces no symptoms.

Atrial fibrillation is another major cardiac contributor to stroke. AFib causes the heart to beat irregularly, which can allow blood to pool and form clots in the heart's upper chambers. If a clot travels to the brain, it causes a stroke. People with AFib are five times more likely to have a stroke than those without it.

High cholesterol contributes to the buildup of plaque inside arteries — a condition called atherosclerosis. Over time, this narrowing and hardening of the arteries reduces blood flow and increases the risk of clot formation, both of which can trigger stroke.

If you have any of these conditions, working closely with a cardiologist isn't just about protecting your heart — it's about protecting your brain, too.

Your Biggest Stroke Risk Factors

While some stroke risk factors — like age, family history, and ethnicity — are outside your control, many of the most significant ones are modifiable. Understanding your personal risk profile is the first step toward reducing it.

Non-modifiable risk factors include:

• Age 65 or older (though strokes can occur at any age)
• Family history of stroke or heart disease
• Prior stroke or TIA
• Certain genetic and ethnic backgrounds

Modifiable risk factors include:

• High blood pressure
• High LDL ("bad") cholesterol
• Atrial fibrillation or other heart conditions
• Type 2 diabetes
• Obesity
• Physical inactivity
• Smoking and tobacco use
• Heavy alcohol consumption
• Chronic stress

The encouraging truth is that addressing even one or two of these modifiable factors can substantially lower your overall stroke risk. You don't have to overhaul your entire life overnight. Small, consistent changes add up to meaningful protection.

How to Lower Your Stroke Risk Through Daily Habits

Your day-to-day choices have a direct impact on your cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health. Here are the habits that matter most:

Move your body regularly. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week — roughly 30 minutes, five days a week. Walking, cycling, swimming, and dancing all count. Regular exercise helps lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels, manage blood sugar, and maintain a healthy weight.

Eat a heart-healthy diet. Focus on whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats like those found in olive oil, nuts, and fish. Limit sodium (which raises blood pressure), added sugars, red and processed meats, and saturated fats. The Mediterranean and DASH diets are both well-supported by research for reducing cardiovascular and stroke risk.

Quit smoking. Tobacco use damages blood vessels, raises blood pressure, lowers HDL ("good") cholesterol, and makes blood more likely to clot — all direct pathways to stroke. If you smoke, quitting is one of the single most impactful things you can do for your long-term health. Ask your provider about cessation support programs.

Manage stress. Chronic stress elevates cortisol levels, which over time can raise blood pressure and contribute to inflammation throughout the cardiovascular system. Mindfulness practices, regular exercise, quality sleep, and social connection all help buffer the effects of stress.

Limit alcohol. Heavy drinking raises blood pressure and can contribute to AFib. If you drink, do so in moderation — no more than one drink per day for women, two for men.

Take your medications as prescribed. If your doctor has prescribed medications to manage blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, or heart rhythm, take them consistently. These medications are often doing critical protective work even when you feel fine.

When Should You Talk to Your Doctor About Stroke Prevention?

The honest answer is now, and regularly after that. Many stroke risk factors are silent. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and AFib frequently produce no noticeable symptoms until they've already caused significant damage or triggered a medical event.

Schedule a conversation with your primary care physician or cardiologist if:

• You haven't had your blood pressure checked in more than a year
• You don't know your cholesterol numbers
• You have a family history of stroke or heart disease
• You've experienced any symptoms that might have been a TIA, even briefly
• You have diabetes, AFib, or other cardiovascular conditions
• You smoke, are sedentary, or have recently gained significant weight
• You're 65 or older and haven't discussed stroke prevention with your doctor

Your physician can assess your individual risk, order appropriate lab work, and help you build a personalized prevention plan. In some cases, medications or further cardiac evaluation may be recommended alongside lifestyle changes.

Don't Wait — Act During Stroke Awareness Month

Stroke Awareness Month is a reminder that prevention is possible, and that knowledge saves lives. At Norman Regional, we are committed to helping you understand your risk and take meaningful steps to protect your health — not just in May, but every month of the year.

Know the signs. Know your numbers. Know your risk.

If you or someone near you shows stroke symptoms, call 911 immediately. Every second matters.

Ready to take the next step in protecting your health? Call 405-515-2222 to schedule an appointment with our cardiology team or get established with a primary care physician by calling 405-515-5000 or scheduling online. Your heart — and your brain — will thank you.