Southwest Florida stroke survivor shares her inspiring journey on World Stroke Day, Oct. 29

ESTERO, Fla., Oct. 18, 2024 — Every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. has a stroke [1], and one in four stroke survivors will have another one. Women are at the highest risk, as stroke is the number three cause of death among women; in fact, one in five women will have a stroke. It disproportionally affects Hispanics and black Americans. During World Stroke Day on October 29, the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, is raising awareness nationwide that stroke is largely preventable, treatable and beatable.

Stephenie Whitfield, senior vice president market executive for Bank of America, shares her survivor story to highlight this message.“Experiencing a stroke was the most terrifying moment of my life. It felt like my world turned upside down, but it also taught me the importance of health and resilience. Now, I share my story to remind others to prioritize their well-being and never take their health for granted,” said Stephenie.

On Thanksgiving morning in 2018, Stephenie was at her home in Atlanta, preparing the family meal with her mother. Around 9 a.m., she felt a stabbing pain in her head, which was unusual since she had never experienced migraines or headaches before. As she tried to walk, she collapsed, and her husband caught her. Despite her protests, her husband took her to the hospital, where a CAT scan revealed she had a stroke.

By 3 p.m., she was moved to another room, unable to speak or move her left side. The next day, after many tests, she began to show slight improvements, managing to move her arm and say a few words. With determination, she started using a walker and was released from the hospital on Friday night.

Stephenie underwent intense physical therapy, supported by her husband and family. Over time, she regained mobility and speech, though it was a challenging journey. She discovered she had a genetic predisposition to cardiovascular disease and high stroke risk. This experience transformed her approach to health, leading her to adopt a healthier lifestyle and share her story to encourage others to prioritize their well-being.

“Stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. The faster we can diagnose and treat a stroke, the better the chances of recovery. Prevention through lifestyle changes and managing risk factors is crucial in reducing the incidence of stroke,” said Dr. Mazen AbuAwad, M.D., American Heart Association/American Stroke Association volunteer expert and executive director, Wingard Stroke Institute, NCH Healthcare System.

A stroke happens when normal blood flow in the brain is interrupted. When parts of the brain don’t get the oxygen-rich blood they need, those cells die. Quick identification and treatment of stroke equals a higher chance of survival and recovery. Having a stroke puts you at a higher risk for a second one. There are things you can do to reduce your risk, starting with identifying what caused your stroke and uncovering your personal risk factors.

A stroke can happen to anyone at any time. However, the burden and risk of stroke are higher among Black and Hispanic adults in the U.S. This is in part due to unmanaged risk factors including high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes.

A large majority of strokes can be prevented through education and lifestyle changes such as moving more, eating smart and managing conditions like atrial fibrillation (AFib) and high blood pressure.

This World Stroke Day, the American Stroke Association is encouraging people to be a bold advocate for themselves and others by learning the signs of a stroke and talking to their healthcare team to manage risk factors. A stroke is an emergency. If someone is having a stroke, they must get medical attention right away.

Spot a stroke F.A.S.T.:

• 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? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like "The sky is blue."
• Time to Call 911 - If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 911 and get to a hospital immediately. Check the time so you'll know when the first symptoms appeared.

Test your knowledge and skills with the F.A.S.T. Experience, a digital series of games and activities designed to educate users on what the most common warning signs of a stroke look, feel and/or sound like.

For a complete list of the stroke warning signs and to learn more, visit stroke.org/worldstrokeday.

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About the American Stroke Association

The American Stroke Association is a relentless force for a world with fewer strokes and longer, healthier lives. We team with millions of volunteers and donors to ensure equitable health and stroke care in all communities. We work to prevent, treat and beat stroke by funding innovative research, fighting for the public’s health, and providing lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based association was created in 1998 as a division of the American Heart Association. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-888-4STROKE or visit stroke.org. Follow us on Facebook and X.

About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for a century. During 2024 - our Centennial year - we celebrate our rich 100-year history and accomplishments. As we forge ahead into our second century of bold discovery and impact our vision is to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1. 

For Media Inquiries:

Janeth P. Castrejon, janeth.castrejon@heart.org

heart.org and stroke.org