Today people around the globe will come together to observe World Stroke Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the prevention, treatment, and impact of stroke. Organized by the World Stroke Organization (WSO), the theme for this year’s campaign, “Recognize Stroke, Save Lives,” emphasizes the importance of recognizing the signs of stroke and seeking immediate medical attention.
Stroke: A Global Health Emergency Every year, over 13 million people worldwide experience a stroke, and nearly 5.5 million of them die as a result. Millions of stroke survivors are left with long-term disabilities, making stroke the second leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability globally. Stroke Awareness Oregon emphasizes that “Time is brain” and the faster you recognize the signs of stroke and get help, the better the outcome. Every minute saved can prevent irreversible brain damage.”
Recognizing the Signs of Stroke: BEFAST A stroke occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is interrupted or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. It is critical to act quickly when stroke strikes. BEFAST provides a simple way to remember the signs:
Balance — Is there difficulty with balance or coordination?
Eyes — Is there a sudden blurriness or double vision, loss of sight in one or both eyes?
Face drooping — Does one side of the face droop or is it numb?
Arm weakness — Is one arm weak or numb?
Speech difficulty — Is speech slurred or hard to understand?
Time to call emergency services — If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if they go away, call for 9-1-1 immediately.
Preventing Stroke While stroke can affect anyone at any age, certain lifestyle changes can significantly reduce the risk. Stroke Awareness Oregon encourages individuals to take control of their health by:
- Maintaining a healthy diet
- Managing blood pressure and cholesterol levels
- Staying physically active
- Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
- Managing stress and monitoring blood sugar levels in diabetics
- Manage Sleep Apnea
Raising Awareness On World Stroke Day, people are encouraged to spread awareness on social media, using hashtags like #WorldStrokeDay, #StrokeAwarenessOregon, and #TimeIsBrain to join the global conversation.
Stroke Awareness Oregon, a Central Oregon-based nonprofit works with stroke families, volunteers, medical providers and the community to mitigate death and disability from stroke and to support stroke families in their best possible lives. Through their BEFAST cards, Stroke 101 education program and fourth grade Stroke Heroes Stroke Awareness Oregon strives to educate everyone about stroke and stroke prevention. Using their many stroke warrior and caregiver support group and volunteer Peer2Peer program Stroke Awareness Oregon encourages stroke families in recovery and hope.
The World Stroke Organization (WSO) is the leading global body for stroke prevention, treatment, and support. Through advocacy, education, and research, WSO aims to reduce the global burden of stroke and improve the quality of life for survivors and their families.
For more information about World Stroke Day and how you can get involved, visit
