Little Rock, Ark. – Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke. In Arkansas, nearly 32 people are hospitalized from this disease every single day; this is at least one Arkansan every hour.
With World Stroke Day on October 29, the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) reminds Arkansans that knowing the warning signs can save lives. Because strokes often happen suddenly, bystanders are usually the ones who must act quickly in an emergency.
“Too many Arkansas families are affected by stroke, but the good news is that many strokes can be prevented,” said Bala Simon, MD, DrPH, Deputy Chief Medical Officer and State Chronic Disease Director. “Taking steps like eating healthier, staying active, quitting smoking, and controlling blood pressure not only reduces your risk of stroke – it improves your overall health and quality of life.”
In 2023, 11,605 Arkansans suffered a stroke, and 1,852 died from the disease. That same year, Arkansas had the 4th highest stroke death rate in the nation.
Recognizing Stroke: BE FAST
An easy way to remember stroke warning signs is the acronym B.E.F.A.S.T.:
- B – Balance: Sudden loss of balance or coordination.
- E – Eyes: Sudden change in vision or trouble seeing.
- F – Face Drooping: One side of the face droops or feels numb. Ask the person to smile.
- A – Arm Weakness: One arm feels weak or drifts downward when both arms are raised.
- S – Speech Difficulty: Slurred speech, difficulty speaking, or trouble understanding. Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence like, “The sky is blue.”
- T – Time to call 9-1-1: If you notice any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately—even if symptoms go away.
Major Risk Factors
Besides a prior stroke, the leading risk factors include:
- High blood pressure: The most important controllable risk factor; most people who suffer a first stroke also have high blood pressure.
- Transient ischemic attack (TIA): About 15% of strokes are preceded by a “mini stroke.” Seek medical attention as soon as possible if you think you have had a TIA.
- Atrial fibrillation (Afib): Increases stroke risk up to five times compared to people without Afib.
- Smoking: Current smokers are two to four times more likely to have a stroke than nonsmokers.
Arkansans with these risk factors should see their primary care provider regularly.
Arkansas Stroke Care
The state is advancing acute stroke care through programs such as the Arkansas Stroke Ready Hospital (ArSRH) designation program, the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences (UAMS) Institute for Digital Health and Innovation Stroke Program, and Mercy Telestroke. These efforts ensure more Arkansans can access rapid, high-quality treatment when stroke strikes.
The message is simple: Know the warning signs, act quickly, and remember—BE FAST. For more information on stroke prevention and care in Arkansas, visit www.healthy.arkansas.gov.
The public is invited to a special event at ADH to recognize World Stroke Day on Wednesday, October 29, 2005, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. outside the ADH Public Health Lab on 201 S. Monroe Street. In case of bad weather, the event will be canceled.
This event, hosted by the Office of Preparedness and Emergency Response Systems (OPERS) and Chronic Disease teams, in collaboration with UAMS and the Arkansas Minority Health Commission (AMHC), will feature:
- The UAMS Mini-Brain exhibit
- Free health screenings from AMHC
- Educational booths and prevention resources
- A chance to meet stroke survivor Eric Treat and learn from his story
Come by, learn something new, and help us spread the word about stroke prevention and early recognition. Together, we can make a difference in reducing the impact of stroke across Arkansas.