Every three minutes and 11 seconds someone in the United States dies from a stroke and one of every 20 deaths is related to stroke.
May is stroke awareness month. On May 26, Piedmont Hospital Augusta held a resource event in front of the Walton Way hospital to bring awareness to a condition that can be prevented in 80% of cases.
“Stroke awareness month is exactly that, We try to focus on the stroke process and stroke disease. We live in what we often refer to as the ‘stroke belt’ because the incidence for stroke in the Southeast region is high relative to the national averages,” said Dr. Barry Jenkins, Piedmont’s Chief Medical Officer.
High blood pressure is a leading contributor to strokes so there were blood pressure screenings on site as well as information on stroke care at Piedmont. Also, an inflatable brain provided the opportunity for people to walk through while learning about the organ and conditions that might affect it.
“This is an opportunity for employees, the community, patients, visitors and families to see what we have to offer here but more importantly to learn a little about the signs and symptoms of stroke and how to treat them,” he said.
Strokes occur when the blood supply to the brain is blocked or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. Quick action saves lives, according to a news release.
Piedmont is a comprehensive stroke center and is one of two hospitals in the region that performs a procedure called a thrombectomy to remove blood clots from the brain using suction. If performed early enough it can lead to significantly better outcomes for patients, Jenkins said.
In addition to high blood pressure, other contributors include high cholesterol, diabetes and smoking.
Knowing the signs of stroke and taking immediate action can often lead to better recovery outcomes. In general, rapid recognition and response are key to decreasing the chances of long-term disability. To help identify signs of a stroke, use the acronym B.E.F.A.S.T., according to a news release from Piedmont.
- Balance – Is there trouble with balance or coordination?
- Eyes – Has the person experienced blurred, double, or loss of vision?
- Face – Look for an uneven smile.
- Arm – Check if one arm or leg is weak or just “doesn’t feel right.”
- Speech – Listen for slurred speech or trouble finding words.
- Time– Call 911 right away
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years. She’s won multiple Georgia Press Association awards, is the recipient of the 2018 Greater Augusta Arts Council’s media award and was named Augusta Magazine’s best local writer in 2024 and 2025. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
