162,000: The annual U.S. stroke death toll

The American Heart Association reports that stroke killed more than 162,000 people in the United States in 2023, making it the fourth leading cause of death in the country.

Senator Chris Murphy, 53, experienced a stroke this past Saturday. According to his staff, he felt numbness in his arm while attending his son’s hockey game. His office stated that his prognosis is excellent because he received medical attention quickly.

The American Stroke Association promotes the BE FAST acronym to help people identify stroke symptoms early. This tool aims to save victims and prevent permanent brain damage by prompting immediate action.

The acronym breaks down into six specific signs. Balance loss includes dizziness, trouble walking, or a sudden loss of balance. Eye changes involve blurred vision, double vision, or loss of sight in one eye. Face drooping is detected by asking the person to smile and checking for an uneven expression or numbness on one side.

Arm weakness is another critical indicator. Patients may experience numbness or weakness in one arm, a symptom Murphy reported. To test this, the person should raise both arms to see if one drifts down. Speech difficulty also signals a stroke, characterized by slurred speech or trouble repeating a simple sentence.

The final component is time. If a person exhibits these symptoms, the American Stroke Association advises calling 911 immediately. Rapid medical care offers the best chance for survival and minimizes long-term effects. Other symptoms include severe headache, confusion, and numbness on one side of the body.

A stroke occurs when blood flow to or within the brain is interrupted, either by a blocked artery or a burst blood vessel. Brain tissue deprived of oxygen can suffer permanent damage, leading to long-term disability or death.