Reduce Your Risk of Stroke
Dr. Andrew Ringer, a neurovascular specialist at Mayfield Brain & Spine, gives us 7 steps you can take to reduce your risk of stroke. He concludes by telling us how we can recognize the signs of stroke F-A-S-T.
Stroke Symptoms to Know
- Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg, usually on one side of the body
- Difficulty speaking or understanding language
- Decreased or blurred vision in one or both eyes
- Sudden, severe headache
- Unexplained loss of balance or dizziness
If you notice signs of a stroke, think "FAST" and call 9-1-1.

Face Drooping
DOES ONE SIDE OF THE FACE DROOP OR IS IT NUMB?
Ask the person to smile. Is the person's smile uneven?

Arm Weakness
IS ONE ARM WEAK OR NUMB?
Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

Speech
IS SPEECH SLURRED?
Is the person unable to speak, or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like "The sky is blue."

Time to Call 9-1-1
If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-11 and get to a hospital immediately. Check the time so you'll know when the first symptoms appeared.
Our Stroke Care Team
Understanding Your Heart-Brain Connection
Did you know that taking care of your heart also helps your brain health? We have long known that diseases clogging the arteries of the heart can also clog the arteries of the brain. Arterial damage leads to arterial blockages, which lead to strokes, vascular insufficiency, or vascular dementia. Learn how a heart-healthy lifestyle supports our brain and improves memory and cognitive function.
Virginia's story
Brain aneurysms
John's story
Stroke survivor