Stroke Experts Urge Fast Action During American Stroke Month

Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States experiences a stroke, and health experts say recognizing the warning signs quickly can make a lifesaving difference.

During American Stroke Month, NBC Palm Springs spoke with local neurologist Dr. Esmaeil Sebti about the symptoms people should never ignore and the steps they can take to reduce their risk.

Dr. Sebti describes a stroke as a “brain attack,” explaining that unlike a heart attack, strokes are often painless — making them harder to recognize.

He urges people to remember the acronym BE FAST, a tool designed to identify common warning signs of a stroke:

• B – Balance: Sudden loss of balance or coordination

• E – Eyes: Sudden vision loss or changes in eyesight

• F – Face: Facial drooping on one side

• A – Arms: Weakness in the arms or legs

• S – Speech: Difficulty speaking or slurred speech

• T – Time: Call 911 immediately and seek medical help

Dr. Sebti says one of the biggest risk factors for stroke is high blood pressure, often referred to as the “silent killer” because many people do not realize it is elevated.

He encourages residents to monitor their blood pressure regularly at home instead of relying only on occasional doctor visits.

“Knowing your numbers is important,” Dr. Sebti explained, noting that consistent high blood pressure should be evaluated by a medical professional as soon as possible.

Doctors say stroke treatment has advanced significantly in recent years, and patients may have up to 24 hours to receive treatment that can help prevent permanent brain damage.

For more information about stroke prevention and symptoms, visit Stroke.org.