Atrium doctor shares tips for American Stroke Month
“We sit right in the stroke belt, where there’s a 30% higher chance of death from stroke,” Smith said. “We’re actually very barely touching the belt buckle, which means it goes up to 40%.”
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT-DT)- A Macon doctor is raising awareness during American Stroke Month by offering tips to help the community recognize the signs of a stroke and take action.
Dr. Matthew Smith said strokes are the leading cause of disability in the United States and the fifth leading cause of death.
“We sit right in the stroke belt, where there’s a 30% higher chance of death from stroke,” Smith said. “We’re actually very barely touching the belt buckle, which means it goes up to 40%.”
Smith emphasized the importance of remembering the acronym B.E.F.A.S.T., which outlines key warning signs of a stroke:
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Balance: Sudden loss of balance
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Eyes: Vision changes
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Face: Facial drooping
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Arms: Arm weakness
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Speech: Speech difficulty
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Terrible headache: Sudden, severe headache
He encourages everyone to learn the symptoms and act quickly, as early intervention can greatly improve stroke outcomes.
