The American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, is using May as American Stroke Month to highlight the critical importance of recognizing stroke warning signs and taking preventive action. With nearly 2 million brain cells dying every minute a stroke goes untreated, early recognition and treatment can significantly reduce long-term disability and save lives, according to the association.
Stroke is the fourth-leading cause of death in the United States, according to the American Heart Association’s 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistical Update, and a leading cause of serious, long-term disability. Each year, approximately 800,000 people in the U.S. experience a stroke, which can happen to anyone at any age.
The association encourages the public to learn the B.E. F.A.S.T. acronym to spot a stroke: Balance loss, Eye or vision changes, Face drooping, Arm weakness, and Speech difficulty. If any of these signs appear, it's time to call 911. Noting when symptoms first appeared can support treatment decisions. The association offers an interactive B.E. F.A.S.T. Experience at Stroke.org/StrokeMonth to help people explore the signs.
Approximately 80% of strokes are preventable, according to the Heart Association and the Stroke Association. High blood pressure is the leading risk factor for stroke, and uncontrolled blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity significantly increase risk. Steps to prevent stroke include managing blood pressure, building healthy habits such as eating well and staying active, and reducing the risk of a second stroke. Nearly 1 in 4 strokes occur in people who have had a previous stroke, as noted in the 2026 update.
The association also emphasizes the importance of support after stroke. Recovery is a journey, and connection matters. Resources include virtual Stroke Meetups and the Stroke Connection e-newsletter, available at Stroke.org/StrokeMonth. The HCA Healthcare Foundation is a national sponsor of the American Stroke Association’s Together to End Stroke initiative and American Stroke Month.
Calling 911 is the fastest way to get stroke care, as EMS can begin treatment immediately and alert the hospital stroke team before arrival. For more information, visit stroke.org or heart.org.
