Every Second Counts: The Race Begins When Stroke Symptoms Appear

TUCSON (May 8, 2026) – As May marks National Stroke Awareness Month, Carondelet Health Network is urging you to learn the warning signs of stroke and understand that rapid response can save lives and reduce long-term disability.

Stroke is a leading cause of death and serious long-term disability in the United States, yet many people still don’t know its symptoms or the critical importance of immediate medical attention. According to the American Stroke Association, someone in the U.S. has a stroke every 40 seconds, and nearly 800,000 Americans experience a new or recurrent stroke each year.

“Time is brain,” said Tim Thompson, RN, MS, Stoke Program Coordinator. “During a stroke, millions of brain cells die every minute. The faster a patient receives treatment, the better their chances of recovery with minimal disability. At Carondelet we are committed to providing the highest level of stroke care 24/7, but the most important first step happens before the ambulance even arrives—recognizing the signs and calling 911 immediately.”

The Race Begins When Stroke Symptoms Appear, do you know them?

• Balance loss – Is there irregular or unsteady walking?
• Eyes – Is vision different from normal – vision blurred, or double vision?
• Face drooping – Does one side of the face droop when smiling?
• Arms – Is one arm weak or drifting downward when both arms are raised?
• Speech difficulty – Is speech slurred or hard to understand?
• Time to call 911 – If any of these signs are present, the race is on!

“Prevention is powerful,” added Thompson. “Managing high blood pressure, controlling diabetes, quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and staying physically active can dramatically reduce your risk of stroke. But we urge our patients to know that the race really does begin when stroke signs appear and calling 911 can save brain cells, life, and prevent disability.”

Click here to take our health risk assessment to find out if you are at a higher risk of stroke: it takes just a couple of minutes and can help you stay ahead of the race.

Media: To schedule an interview a stroke doctor in May, please contact [email protected].