When it comes to stroke, it’s important to know that fast action saves lives.
With more than 795,000 strokes occurring in the United States each year and stroke remaining a leading cause of death and serious long‑term disability, recognizing the signs and understanding the risks is essential.
A stroke—often called a brain attack—happens when blood flow to the brain is blocked or when a blood vessel ruptures, causing brain cells to die within minutes. Quick treatment dramatically improves the chances of survival and recovery.
May is Stroke Awareness Month, and according to Dr. Navdeep S. Sangha, regional physician director, stroke and telestroke, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, early recognition is critical to saving lives and preventing disability. Kaiser Permanente Southern California is based in Pasadena.
“Stroke is a very serious medical condition that often leads to long-term disability, and it’s been shown to reduce mobility in more than half of stroke survivors aged 65 and older,” said Dr. Sangha, who practices at Los Angeles Medical Center.
“This aligns with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) findings showing that stroke reduces mobility in over 50% of survivors age 65 and older. Of the 795,000 annual strokes, about 610,000 are first or new strokes, and 185,000 occur in people who have had a previous stroke—nearly 1 in 4.”
Recognizing a Stroke: BE FAST
Dr. Sangha emphasized the importance of the BE FAST acronym to identify stroke symptoms and act quickly:
• B – Balance: Sudden loss of balance or coordination.
• E – Eyes: Sudden vision loss or double vision.
• F – Face: Facial drooping or uneven appearance.
• A – Arms/Legs: Sudden weakness or numbness in limbs.
• S – Speech: Slurred or difficult speech.
• T – Time: Time lost is brain lost—call 911 immediately.
It’s important to know that fast action saves lives. Go to the emergency room as quickly as you can if you have signs and symptoms of a stroke. The quicker a patient gets there, the faster they can receive the right therapies to prevent disability.
Key Stroke Statistics
According to the CDC and the American Heart Association:
• Someone in the U.S. has a stroke every 40 seconds.
• Someone dies of stroke every 3 minutes and 14 seconds (2022 data).
• Stroke caused 165,393 deaths in 2022.
• About 87% of all strokes are ischemic, caused by blocked blood flow.
• Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability, with mobility reduced in more than half of survivors over age 65.
• Nearly 1 in 4 stroke survivors will have another stroke.
Reducing Your Risk
“The good news is that if you’re a stroke survivor, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of having another one,” Dr. Sangha said. “Prevention begins with understanding the cause of the stroke and addressing personal risk factors.”
The American Stroke Association recommends focusing on:
• Brain Health: A healthy body supports a healthy brain.
• Healthy Eating: Choose nutrient-rich foods and limit sodium.
• Healthy Lifestyle: Prioritize sleep, stress management and social connection.
• Physical Activity: Regular movement—structured or informal—significantly reduces risk.
The Bottom Line
Stroke is common, dangerous and often disabling—but it is also largely preventable. Knowing the warning signs, acting quickly and adopting a healthy lifestyle can dramatically reduce risk and improve outcomes for survivors.
Kaiser Permanente offers valuable information about stroke, its symptoms, causes and treatment.
