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May 18, 2026 May is National Stroke Awareness Month, an important time to educate the community about stroke prevention, warning signs and the importance of fast, life-saving care.Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital encourages adults of all ages to learn their risk factors and act quickly if stroke symptoms appear.According to the American Heart Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 795,000 people in the United States experience a stroke each year.Stroke accounts for 1 in every 19 deaths nationwide.Tennessee ranks eighth in the nation for stroke risk and reports a stroke mortality rate of about 47 deaths per 100,000 people, above the national average of 39.Recognizing the Signs of Stroke A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted, either by a clot or a ruptured blood vessel.This disruption can cause brain damage within minutes.The faster a person receives medical care, the better the chances of recovery and reduced long-term effects.The stroke care team recommends remembering the acronym B.E.F.A.S.T.to identify symptoms: ● Balance — Sudden loss of balance or coordination ● Eyes — Sudden vision changes ● Face — Drooping or uneven smile ● Arm — Weakness or numbness in one arm ● Speech — Slurred or difficult speech ● Time — Call 9-1-1 immediately Even if symptoms go away, it is critical to seek emergency care.Calling 9-1-1 ensures emergency responders can alert the hospital and activate the stroke team before arrival.“Early recognition and treatment can be the difference between a return to normal functioning and a life-long disability, or worse, death after a stroke,” said Dr.Joshua Ramsey, chief medical officer at Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital.“The most important thing you can do if you see these signs is get that person to the nearest emergency room capable of delivering life-saving treatments as quickly as possible.” Stroke Care Close to Home Through secure, real-time telehealth technology, Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb provides 24/7 access to specialized neuro expertise directly in Smithville.This technology allows board-certified neurologists to virtually join the local bedside team the moment a patient presents with symptoms.By collaborating instantly with onsite caregivers, these specialists guide critical treatment decisions and determine if advanced interventions are required.This service often allows patients to remain in DeKalb County for their recovery and avoid a transfer far from home.Following emergency care, patients can continue their recovery with local rehabilitation services.Patients have access to physical and occupational therapy designed to restore independence and improve quality of life.This ensures a seamless transition from hospital to recovery without leaving the community.Take Action: Understand Your Risk Up to 80% of strokes are preventable.This May, Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb encourages the community to manage heart health and lifestyle factors that increase risk, such as high blood pressure, AFib, diabetes, smoking, and obesity.By scheduling regular checkups and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, residents can take proactive steps toward prevention.About Ascension Saint Thomas Ascension Saint Thomas is a faith-based, nonprofit health system with a 125-year history of delivering personalized care, with special attention to those most vulnerable.The system includes 18 hospitals and 320 sites of care across 45 counties in Tennessee, including affiliated joint ventures, medical practices, clinics, and specialty facilities.With more than 13,000 associates, Ascension Saint Thomas serves millions of patients annually.It is part of Ascension, one of the largest Catholic health systems in the U.S., with approximately 99,000 associates, 23,000 aligned providers, and 121 hospitals.In FY2024, Ascension provided $2.1 billion in care for those living in poverty and other community benefit programs.Visit www.ascension.org