Actor Luke Perry, known best for his role as Dylan McKay on Beverly Hills 90210, died on March 4, 2019, after experiencing a stroke. At 52 years old, Perry falls into an age category that we don’t always associate with being at risk of stroke. In reality, no age is "too young" to experience a stroke.

What is a Stroke?

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is suddenly interrupted or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, spilling blood into the spaces surrounding brain cells. This causes brain cells to die—either due to a lack of nutrients and oxygen coming to the cells or from bleeding in or around the brain.

A few risk factors can cause someone to be more likely to experience a stroke. Some risk factors, like high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesity, can be treated or changed. Other factors, like age, sex, race, and family history cannot be treated.

What are the warning signs of stroke?

To remember stroke warning signs, use the acronym BE-FAST, which stands for:

• B – Balance: Is the person suddenly having trouble with balance or coordination?
• E – Eyes: Is the person experiencing suddenly blurred or double vision or a sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes?
• F – Face Drooping: Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile.
• A – Arm Weakness: Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
• S – Speech Difficulty: Is speech slurred, are they unable to speak, or are they hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence like, “The sky is blue.” Is the sentence repeated correctly?
• T – Time to call 9-1-1

Source: dukehealth.org

If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get them to the hospital immediately.

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Learn about stroke warning signs, risk factors, and view additional resources.