As May unfolds, so does an essential observance in healthcare: Stroke Awareness Month. Throughout this month, Pikeville Medical Center (PMC) and its Eastern Kentucky Neuroscience Center are highlighting stroke awareness by focusing on causes and risk factors, prevention, treatment, life after stroke and the critical importance of recognizing the signs early.
A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted, either by a clot blocking an artery (ischemic stroke) or by a blood vessel bursting and causing bleeding in the brain (hemorrhagic stroke). The consequences of both can be devastating, leading to disability or even death. Being able to identify stroke symptoms promptly can make a huge difference in saving lives and reducing the risk of long-term disability. PMC emphasizes the acronym “BE FAST” as a simple tool for recognizing stroke signs:
B– Balance: Sudden loss of balance or dizziness
E– Eyes: Vision changes
F– Face Drooping: One side of the face drooping or numb
A– Arms: Arm or leg weakness, specifically on one side
S– Speech: Slurred speech or hard to understand
T– Time: If any of these signs are present, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
Keeping track of when symptoms begin can help the healthcare team diagnose and treat patients more effectively. Stroke Awareness Month serves as a vital reminder of the impact a stroke can have on individuals, families and communities. By increasing awareness, promoting prevention strategies and advocating for timely treatment, the burden of strokes can be reduced, and outcomes can be improved for stroke survivors. By keeping these things in mind, more lives can be saved in the fight against strokes.
Knowing the risk factors for a stroke may help prevent one from occurring, and patients can learn about their risk factors by having regular medical checkups. Risk factors include high blood pressure, tobacco use, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity and excessive alcohol intake. Increased age, women, and those with a family history of stroke are also more likely to experience one.
Through regular checkups, patients will be educated about some risk factors that can be changed or treated by medication or lifestyle changes. It is critical for those who have experienced a stroke to manage their risk factors and take any medications as prescribed. The risk of another stroke is ten times greater in patients who have already had a stroke than in those who have never experienced one.
As Stroke Awareness Month continues, PMC encourages community members to take an active role in protecting their health by learning the warning signs, understanding personal risk factors and seeking care without delay. Through education, prevention and advanced treatment options, the organization remains committed to reducing the impact of stroke across the region. When it comes to stroke, every second matters, and knowing what to do could save a life.
To learn more about stroke signs and prevention, visit www.pmcky.org/stroke-center.
Nationally Recognized Stroke Care
Neurology is the study and treatment of disorders and diseases related to the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord and nerves. At the Eastern Kentucky Neuroscience Center at PMC, neurologists play a critical role in diagnosing and treating patients with neurological conditions like stroke.
PMC Neurologists Dr. Naveed Ahmed and Dr. Ryan Owens collaborate closely with other specialists, such as neurosurgeons, radiologists and physical therapists, to provide comprehensive care to patients. They use various diagnostic tools such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, computed tomography (CT) scans and electroencephalograms (EEGs) to assess a patient’s condition and determine the appropriate treatment. Neurologists also treat patients with degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis.
Stroke, also known as a “brain attack,” is one of the most common neurological conditions. Neurologists use various options when caring for a patient who has suffered a stroke, such as clot-busting medications or surgical procedures to minimize the damage and help patients recover.
At PMC, neurologists and emergency department providers utilize advanced technology to help identify certain types of strokes quickly and effectively. The software is linked directly to a CT scanner, which uses rotating X-ray machines to create detailed images of a patient’s head, displaying bones, blood vessels and the brain.
This technology can quickly identify suspected large vessel occlusion (LVO) strokes, which happen when one of the brain’s major arteries is blocked, stopping the supply of blood and oxygen. Once a stroke is identified, stroke specialists are notified almost immediately. Many times, while the patient is still in the CT machine, neurologists can view the detailed images on their smartphones and begin treatment. PMC was the first hospital in eastern Kentucky to utilize this state-of-the-art technology.
Through innovation, collaboration and a commitment to excellence, PMC continues to elevate neurological care across eastern Kentucky. By combining advanced technology with the expertise of its dedicated providers, the hospital provides stroke patients with timely, life-saving treatment close to home. As the region’s leader in neuroscience services, the hospital remains focused on improving outcomes, enhancing quality of life and bringing hope to patients and families when it matters most.
For more information on advanced neurology care at PMC, visit www.pmcky.org/neurology.
National Nurses Week
PMC is proud to recognize National Nurses Week, held May 6-12, as a time to honor the compassion, dedication and resilience of nurses who serve patients across eastern Kentucky.
At PMC, nurses are more than caregivers. They are advocates, educators and a steady source of comfort for patients and families during some of life’s most challenging moments. From clinic to bedside, nurses play a vital role in delivering high-quality care close to home.
What began more than a century ago as a small 50-bed hospital has grown into a regional referral center with more than 3,000 employees and hundreds of providers serving patients across the region. Within that growth, nursing has remained at the heart of PMC’s mission to advance the health and well-being of the community through compassionate, patient-centered care.
Every day, PMC nurses embody the organization’s core values of quality, teamwork and integrity. They work alongside physicians, advanced practice providers and support staff to provide comprehensive care across more than 400 services and specialties. Whether assisting with life-saving procedures, guiding patients through recovery or offering reassurance during uncertain times, their impact extends far beyond the bedside.
National Nurses Week is also an opportunity to recognize the next generation of nurses. The organization continues to invest in education and professional development, helping prepare skilled caregivers who will carry forward a tradition of excellence in Appalachian healthcare.
As PMC celebrates National Nurses Week 2026, the organization extends its deepest gratitude to every nurse who chooses to serve. Their dedication, compassion and unwavering commitment make a lasting difference in the lives of patients and families throughout the region.