Do you know how to recognize a stroke? HCA Healthcare explains F.A.S.T. and shares survival stories

Did you know a stroke can happen to anyone, at any age? In fact, globally, about one in four adults over the age of 25 will have a stroke in their lifetime according to the American Heart Association (AHA).

So, what exactly is a stroke? AHA explains: stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts (or ruptures). When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood (and oxygen) it needs, so it and brain cells die. There are also different types of stroke including:

• An ischemic stroke can be caused by a clot obstructing the flow of blood to the brain. This accounts for 87% of all strokes.
• A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel ruptures and prevents blood flow to the brain. The two types of weakened blood vessels that usually cause hemorrhagic stroke are aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). The most common cause of hemorrhagic stroke is uncontrolled high blood pressure.
• A transient ischemic attack (TIA), or “mini stroke”, is caused by a temporary clot.

Every year, approximately 800,000 people in in the United States have a stroke, however, as many as 80% may be preventable with healthy lifestyle changes and screening for risk factors. It is also preventable and treatable.

Get to know the warning signs: Think F.A.S.T.

When a stroke occurs, every second counts. According to the American Heart Association, an average of 1.9 million brain cells die every minute that a stroke goes untreated. If someone is having a stroke, quick medical intervention is crucial to decreasing the long-lasting effects of stroke.

The acronym F.A.S.T. is a simple way to remember the major signs:

• Face Drooping – Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person’s smile uneven?
• Arm Weakness – Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
• Speech Difficulty – Is speech slurred or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like “The sky is blue.”
• Time to Call 911 – If you notice any of these symptoms, even if they go away, call 911 and get to a hospital immediately. Quick action can save a life.

HCA Healthcare has a long history of prioritizing and working to continually improve patient safety. This includes reducing our average door-to-needle time to 33 minutes, which is faster than the national standard for stroke care.

Getting to the Heart of Stroke™

In 2022, the American Heart Association launched the Getting to the Heart of Stroke™ initiative, developed in conjunction with and supported by HCA Healthcare and the HCA Healthcare Foundation.

Getting to the Heart of Stroke™ features several efforts focused on the important connection between heart and brain health in identifying risk factors and preventing future stroke:

• Educating and deepening the collaboration between health care professionals, especially in neurology and cardiology
• Empowering consumers to know and better manage their stroke risk, including through the use of a new stroke self-management tool, along with greater engagement with patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AFib) through the Association’s MyAFibExperience patient support network
• Improving the overall health of communities by addressing disparities through local health impact work

Working closely with thought leaders in healthcare, including those from HCA Healthcare, the American Heart Association is developing accredited educational programming that will be available to all healthcare professionals, and a specific learning collaborative with 10 HCA Healthcare facilities focused on continuously improving the quality of care.

Stroke risk factors and prevention

Stroke prevention starts with knowing the risk factors that increase the likelihood of having a stroke. Identifying the underlying cause of a stroke is also crucial to preventing subsequent strokes. Here are some of the most common causes and what to do about it, according to the American Heart Association:

Additionally, patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation are up to five times more likely to experience a stroke. The American Heart Association’s patient support network, MyAFibExperience, empowers individuals to better understand and manage their stroke risk.

Nearly 1 in 4 strokes occur in people who had a previous stroke, sometimes because they don’t know what caused the first, making identifying the cause of the stroke a key step toward future prevention. Patients that have had a stroke should work with their health care provider to develop a plan that helps them move forward after a first stroke while preventing a second. This plan should include controlling risk factors, like achieving and maintaining healthy blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

“Preventing a second stroke is possible with the right approach,” said Dr. Teresita Casanova, HCA Healthcare affiliated neurologist and American Stroke Association volunteer expert. “Taking medicines as prescribed, monitoring health numbers and making small, consistent lifestyle changes can make a big difference. Stroke survivors should feel empowered to take control of their health and work with their care team to build a strong prevention plan.”

Recognizing the signs of a stroke saved a young Colorado woman

At 21-years-old, HCA Healthcare patient Melody McMurray dismissed her sudden lightheadedness, dizziness and slurred speech as the result of sleep deprivation. However, when she was shopping for groceries and felt her left arm go limp, her boyfriend Tyler Kurgan knew this was not something to ignore. “I couldn’t move it,” Melody recalled. “That’s when I started feeling lightheaded and dizzy again. I needed to sit down.”

Melody had shown two of the symptoms highlighted in the F.A.S.T. acronym for identifying a stroke and acting quickly: F for face drooping, A for arm weakness, S for speech difficulty and T for time to call 911.

Tyler, who watched both of his grandparents experience a stroke, knew almost immediately what was happening and rushed her to HCA HealthONE Aurora. “Honestly, it was sheer panic that went through my body,” said Melody, a dog groomer. “I didn’t want to believe it; there’s no way I’m having a stroke. Of course, I couldn’t get anything out because it was hard to speak.”

While Melody’s stroke came as a shock because she had no known health problems, doctors said that her birth control pills, which can contribute to blood clots, were potentially a factor. Doctors at the HCA Healthcare hospital in Aurora, Colorado, administered medication to break up blood clots, then performed a mechanical thrombectomy procedure to remove the clot. After being diagnosed with an ischemic stroke, she spent two days in the hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU) and another day on the hospital’s medical-surgical floor.

Melody’s experience underscores an often-overlooked reality: strokes can happen to anyone, at any age. “I didn’t ever think it could happen to someone this young,” Melody told the American Heart Association. “When they told me that it could happen to anyone, I was in shock.”

“I always say stroke does not respect age, so you can have a stroke at any age meaning a child, a teenager, or a young adult,” said Dr. Alicia Bennett, neurologist and medical director of the stroke program at HCA HealthONE Aurora. Dr. Bennett added that recognizing the stroke warning signs and symptoms right away is the most important part.

Melody now also encourages others to learn the signs and act fast. Thanks to her boyfriend, Melody got to the hospital in time. While the road to recovery has been long, Melody said she is one of the lucky ones. “If we didn’t get here fast enough I feel like I would not be here at all today,” Melody said.

Learn more about Melody’s story on the American Heart Association’s website.      

Teenage stroke survivor returns to dance competitions thanks to network of care   

Seventeen-year-old Ceilidh McSeveny, an accomplished dancer from Utah, was in peak condition preparing for a showcase when she suddenly experienced a life-threatening ischemic stroke in February 2025.

The morning of a showcase, Ceilidh’s parents noticed her slurred speech and facial drooping – signs that led them to rush her to the emergency room at HCA Healthcare’s Mountain View Hospital in Payson, Utah. “I thought they were being dramatic and that I was just tired,” Ceilidh shared. “But then my mouth felt like it was glued shut and my left side went numb.”

When she arrived at Mountain View Hospital, doctors ordered tests to help figure out what was wrong. Realizing the severity of the situation, they quickly arranged for a medical helicopter to transfer her to a higher level of care at HCA Healthcare’s St. Mark’s Hospital, a Comprehensive Stroke Center. A team of specialists at St. Mark’s Hospital awaited her arrival, including the hospital’s trauma medical director, Dr. Kris Mitchell.

Ceilidh immediately recognized Dr. Mitchell when the helicopter landed. He was her best friend’s father. Ceilidh danced with Dr. Mitchell’s daughter, Vivian, nearly every day. “It almost brought tears to me because I’m like, ‘that could be my daughter,’” Dr. Mitchell said. While sharing a quick hello, Dr. Mitchell, Dr. Danielle Sorte and her care team quickly moved her into surgery to perform a thrombectomy, which is a surgery to remove a blood clot that prevents blood flow to the brain.

Because of the swift action of Ceilidh’s parents and the coordinated, expert care between two HCA Healthcare hospitals, she went on to make a full recovery. Ultimately, doctors were able to determine that the stroke, caused by a blood clot, was the result of a previously undiagnosed congenital heart defect. The hole in her heart, called a patent foramen ovale (PFO), increases the risk of stroke – even in young, otherwise healthy people. The condition could affect about 15-35% of the adult population, and many like Ceilidh, aren’t aware they have it.

Ceilidh is back on the dance floor doing what she loves with the same passion and determination she had before her stroke. During Stroke Awareness Month, she returned to the competition stage for the first time, earning second place in the senior top solo category of a recent dance competition in Provo, Utah. Her journey is a testament to quick action, resilience and expert medical care.

Recognizing the signs of a stroke saved mother of nine

As a mother of nine children and only 44-years old, HCA Healthcare patient Kimberly Cansler never imagined she would be a stroke survivor. However, during a routine day at home, Kimberly suddenly felt her leg go numb. Then, she felt the numbness move up the left side of her body.

As a healthcare professional, she trusted her instincts, recognized the signs of stroke and had her daughter, a nursing student, immediately call 911. She was transported by ambulance to HCA Florida Englewood Hospital, a Certified Primary Stroke Center, where she learned she had an ischemic stroke.

Upon arrival to the hospital in Englewood, Florida, Kimberly’s care team responded quickly, providing the care she needed to survive. Kimberly also received a personalized treatment plan at the hospital, including physical, speech and occupational therapy to support her physical, mental and emotional functions.

Thanks to the skilled, compassionate care she received — from the emergency room physicians and colleagues to the rehabilitation therapists and nurses — Kimberly is back to living a full, normal life. When Kimberly had the opportunity to reunite with the members of her care team, she jumped at the opportunity.

Kimberly’s advice is simple, yet powerful: take stroke symptoms seriously. Call 911. Don’t wait.

Read more about Kimberly’s story on WebMD and learn about the American Heart Association’s latest stroke prevention guidelines.

Food and Nutrition Services team member recognizes stoke symptoms in a hospital visitor

Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) team members across HCA Healthcare, prepare and serve over 69 million meals to our patients, colleagues and visitors annually. Working alongside dedicated clinicians and dietitians, they promote health and healing with nutrient-rich foods that meet each patients’ unique dietary needs.

In their role, FNS team members often build personal connections with patients and visitors while delivering meal trays. Samuel, a patient service representative on the FNS team at HCA Healthcare’s TriStar Southern Hills Medical Center, recently helped to identify the signs of stroke during a visit to a patient room.

On February 20, 2025 Samuel was delivering meals to Robert Brown, a patient in the hospital’s inpatient rehab unit. Robert’s wife, Patricia, was visiting the hospital. Throughout Samuel’s visits to deliver food to Robert’s room, he had gotten to know the couple well. As he visited Robert and Patricia that February day, he noticed when something wasn’t quite right with Patricia.

“When speaking with her, I recognized that she was having difficulty speaking and her face was drooping,” said Samuel. “I knew I had to do something.”

Samuel immediately knew these were signs of a possible stroke and acted quickly to find a nurse to help. Samuel’s instincts were right, and because of his swift action, Patricia was treated quickly and is now on the road to recovery after a stay in the Nashville, Tennessee hospital.

“He may have saved my life. We really don’t know what would have happened if he didn’t act so quickly,” said Patricia. “We had seen Samuel many times before and fallen in love with him. He would bring me a tray every day so I could eat with Robert, and that was so helpful since I was here all day every day. I have no lasting effects from the experience, which is a blessing. And it was because he recognized the signs and got me to the right place in time. I thank God every day for Samuel.”

A month after Patricia’s stroke, she returned to TriStar Southern Hills to thank Samuel in person. The sweet reunion was a reminder of how all of our colleagues make a positive impact on our patients.

Utah hospital delivers lifesaving stroke and cardiac care for father and rugby coach

In the early morning hours of January 17, 2024, Nusi Tukuafu suffered an ischemic stroke due to a clot in his right middle cerebral artery. The devoted father of five children and a high school rugby coach was 50 years old at the time. Thanks to the timely, coordinated care at HCA Healthcare’s St. Mark’s Hospital, a Comprehensive Stroke Center, Nusi is alive today.

That Wednesday morning, around 5 a.m., Nusi’s phone alarm went off as usual. While he remained in bed, his wife, Arnetia, realized something was wrong. Arnetia said it was as if angels screamed in her ear: “Stroke.” 

Arnetia immediately called 911 and said, “I think my husband is having a stroke,” noting he was groggy and had mumbled speech. When the emergency dispatcher asked if Nusi to raise both arms, he only did so with his right arm. That’s when it became apparent to Arnetia that the entire left side of her husband’s body wasn’t moving.

Nusi was rushed to affiliate St. Mark’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah where the specialized team was able to remote the clot and restore blood flow to his brain. While hospitalized, Nusi also underwent triple bypass surgery to address a completely blocked main coronary artery.

Did you know? In June 2024, the American Heart Association awarded St. Mark’s Hospital with Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Quality Achievement Awards for their commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines.

After two successful surgeries, Nusi spent a month in the hospital’s Acute Rehabilitation Center (ARC) working toward goals to help him achieve his highest level of independence. For Nusi, his one clear goal was to walk out of the hospital without assistance. And on March 25, 2024, he did just that. No wheelchair. No cane. Just determination to reach his goal, with one foot in front of the other.

Today, it’s been nearly a year and half since Nusi’s stroke. Hecontinues to recover and rebuild his strength. Nusi feels lucky to be  at home with his family, improving day by day. He is preparing to travel to England this summer to cheer on his daughter, who will be competing in the Women’s Rugby World Cup for Team USA.

“To watch him be able to travel again is a huge milestone for our family. It was a hard year, but we look back and know that there were so many miracles, too,” Arnetia explained. She is especially grateful for the ICU nurses who cared for her husband.