Medically Reviewed by Joseph L. Kearney, IV, MD

South Carolina has high rates of stroke, with the fifth-highest stroke death rate in the country in 2022, according to the CDC. In 2020, nearly 17,000 of our state’s residents were hospitalized for stroke at a cost of $1.3 billion, according to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control. McLeod emergency medicine physician Dr. Joseph Kearney explains the warning signs of a stroke and why it’s important to act quickly during this neurological emergency.

“Stroke is a significant problem in South Carolina, with stroke rates among the highest in the nation. Emergency treatments can stop brain damage and disability if you know the symptoms and get immediate medical care.” 

It’s important to recognize stroke symptoms and act quickly. If you suspect a stroke, think of the acronym BE FAST:

• B for balance. Does the person have a loss of balance? 
• E for eyes. Has the person lost vision in one or both eyes? 
• F for face. Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop? 
• A for arms. Is one arm weak or numb? If they raise both arms, does one drift downward? 
• S for speech. Is their speech slurred? Can they repeat a simple sentence correctly?
• T for time. If the person shows any of these symptoms, call 9 1 1 immediately every minute counts for stroke treatment.

The first and only FDA-approved drug treatment for ischemic strokes is Alteplase IV r-tPA, also known as tissue plasminogen activator. Alteplase IV r-tPA dissolves the clot and improves blood flow. If administered within three hours (and up to four-and-a-half hours in certain eligible patients), Alteplase IV r-tPA may improve the chances of recovering from a stroke.

If you or someone you know is having a stroke, it’s critical to get medical attention right away. Immediate treatment may minimize the long-term effects of a stroke and prevent death. Thanks to medical advances, stroke treatments and survival rates have improved greatly over the last few decades.

To learn more, speak with your primary care physician about how to lower your risk for stroke.