UHS says people should ‘BE-FAST’ during Stroke Awareness Month

VESTAL (WBNG) -- On the first day of Stroke Awareness Month, UHS hosted an interactive event for patients to learn the symptoms of strokes and how to prevent them.

This event featured an array of stroke information along with healthy food and drink that UHS said can play a role in preventing a stroke.

UHS emphasized knowing the term, “BE FAST,” an acronym for the most common symptoms of strokes: Balance, eyes, face, arm, speech and time. When someone suffers a stroke, one of these body parts may droop or become numb. The “fast” directs the person witnessing the stroke to be quick, call 911, and get help immediately from the victim.

“A lot of people that have come in today have had a parent who has had a stroke, so we really want to make sure that we’re educating them because once one family member has had a stroke you could be at risk for having a stroke yourself,” Stroke Program Coordinator Dawn age.

Anyone who is experiencing symptoms of a stroke should go to the emergency room immediately.