Arkansas Health Department Urges Residents to Know Stroke Signs, Call 911

LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Department of Health is urging residents to learn the warning signs of a stroke and call 911 immediately if symptoms appear, as World Stroke Day approaches Oct. 29.

In a news release issued Oct. 28, the department said 1,971 Arkansas residents died from strokes in 2024, placing the state among those with the nation’s highest stroke death rates.

Dr. Bala Simon, the department’s deputy medical director and state chronic disease director, said recognizing symptoms and getting medical care quickly can save lives and reduce the risk of long-term disability.

Simon also said many strokes can be prevented. Controlling blood pressure, staying physically active, choosing healthier foods and quitting smoking can help lower the risk, according to the release.

The department highlighted warning signs including facial drooping, sudden balance or vision problems, weakness in an arm or leg, and difficulty speaking. People should not wait for several symptoms to develop or for symptoms to improve. Call 911 immediately, even if symptoms disappear, the department said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention uses the acronym B.E. F.A.S.T. to help people recognize a possible stroke:

• B — Balance: Sudden loss of balance, dizziness or trouble walking.
• E — Eyes: Sudden vision changes or difficulty seeing.
• F — Face: One side of the face droops when the person smiles.
• A — Arms: One arm drifts downward when the person raises both arms.
• S — Speech: Speech sounds slurred or unusual.
• T — Time: Call 911 immediately if any of these signs appear.

The CDC also recommends noting when symptoms first appeared and calling an ambulance so emergency medical personnel can begin treatment on the way to the hospital.

The Health Department said Arkansas has 46 hospitals with state stroke designations or national stroke certifications. Other hospitals participate in telemedicine programs that expand access to stroke specialists.

Hospitals seeking the state’s Stroke Ready designation must demonstrate that they have the staff, protocols and training to evaluate and treat stroke patients and arrange transfers when necessary.

Data from the Arkansas Stroke Registry show the percentage of eligible patients who received all recommended care increased from 62% in 2019 to 79% in 2025, according to the department.

The agency said it is also working to strengthen coordination between emergency medical services and hospitals and expand access to specialists through statewide telemedicine partnerships.

More information about stroke prevention and care in Arkansas is available at healthy.arkansas.gov.