Recognizing the Warning Signs: Stroke Prevention Starts with Awareness

Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States suffers a stroke, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). More than 795,000 people experience a stroke each year, and it remains one of the leading causes of death and the top cause of serious long-term disability—especially among adults over 65.

But there is hope: 80 percent of strokes are preventable.

As part of National Stroke Awareness Month, Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo spoke with Dr. Kavita Aggarwal, a primary care physician at Optum Health specializing in internal medicine, about how residents in the region can better understand the warning signs and take steps to reduce their risk.

Dr. Aggarwal compared a stroke to a heart attack of the brain and explained the three types: ischemic, hemorrhagic, and transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), commonly referred to as “mini-strokes.” Ischemic strokes, which make up 87 percent of all cases, occur when blood clots or plaque block blood vessels leading to or in the brain. Hemorrhagic strokes, on the other hand, result from ruptured arteries leaking into brain tissue.

TIAs may resolve quickly, but Aggarwal called them “warning strokes,” emphasizing they require immediate medical evaluation to prevent a larger, potentially fatal stroke.

Quick response, she stressed, is everything. “Most treatments need to be administered within the first three hours of symptom onset,” she said.

To help identify stroke symptoms, Aggarwal pointed to the CDC-endorsed acronym FAST:

F – Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side droop?

A – Arms: Ask them to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

S – Speech: Ask them to repeat a simple phrase. Is it slurred or strange?

T – Time: If any of these signs are present, call 911 immediately.

Aggarwal added, “Do not drive to the hospital. Call 911. EMS may be able to start life-saving treatment on the way.”

She also addressed disparities in stroke risk. “Studies have shown that African Americans are more likely to die from strokes than other racial groups, and the risk of a first stroke is nearly twice as high for Black individuals,” she noted, citing contributing factors like higher rates of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and genetic conditions like sickle cell disease. Hispanic men and women are also at elevated risk for similar reasons.

While age remains a significant factor—risk doubles every 10 years after age 55—Dr. Aggarwal warned that strokes are increasingly affecting younger adults. “One out of seven strokes now occurs in people between 15 and 49,” she said.

She emphasized that prevention should be the first line of defense: “We work hard to manage known risk factors like hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes, but also encourage healthy lifestyle changes.”

Her recommendations include:

A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and fiber while low in saturated fats and sodium.

Regular physical activity—at least 2.5 hours of moderate exercise per week for adults.

Maintaining a healthy weight and body mass index (BMI).

Avoiding tobacco and limiting alcohol consumption.

Recovery after a stroke varies, but it begins immediately in the hospital. Aggarwal explained that rehabilitation may include physical, speech, and occupational therapy to help patients regain mobility and perform daily tasks.

Asked about misconceptions, she pointed to a gap in public awareness: “Most people recognize one-sided numbness as a stroke symptom, but only 38 percent are aware of all the major signs—or when to call 911.”

That’s why, she said, it’s crucial for everyone to speak with their healthcare provider. “Make sure you schedule your annual physical. That’s the foundation for preventing these serious events.”

For Dr. Aggarwal, the message is personal, too: “I actually sit down with my parents and talk to them about stroke symptoms. After this interview, I’m going to do it again.”