Stroke Awareness: Why California Women are Urged to Memorize the B.E.F.A.S.T. Acronym This May

During National Stroke Awareness Month in May, California women are urged to know an important acronym.

B.E.F.A.S.T. stands for balance loss, eye or vision changes, face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty and time to call 911. Other symptoms include unexplained dizziness and severe headache.

Kenya Robinson, a mother of three from Riverside, was only 44 years old when she suffered a hemorrhagic stroke while teaching a Jazzercise class. She said women put their health at risk when they stress out and try to do too much.

"I think oftentimes as women, we put ourselves in a position where we must be the be-all and end-all to everybody's needs," Robinson explained. "We forget the self-care that we need to be able to do those things."

Different life stages like pregnancy, motherhood and menopause can increase women's risk of heart disease and stroke. The American Heart Association has created a list of ways to protect yourself called Life’s Essential 8. They include healthy eating, exercising, stopping smoking, and getting enough sleep. Keeping an eye on your weight, blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar round out the list.

Naomi Chesler, professor of biomedical engineering at the University of California-Irvine, said taking small steps to lower your risk can really pay off.

"You don't have to overhaul your whole life," Chesler emphasized. "You can set a realistic goal and make a small change, including walking 30 minutes a day, and it may even help you sleep better and feel better."

During a stroke, a blockage or broken blood vessel can disrupt blood flow to the brain. It is the leading cause of disability in the United States. If you suspect a stroke, call 911 immediately because every second counts.