Olympic Ambulance, 501 W. Hendrickson Road, Sequim, has partnered with Medtronic, the American Heart Association and the Department of Health to promote stroke awareness across Clallam County.

Participants in Stroke Awareness Month are encouraging the public to act F.A.S.T. as strokes are the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and early recognition is a key factor to patient outcome.

If you think you are experiencing a stroke or see someone acting abnormally, the National Stroke Association recommends you keeping the acronym F.A.S.T. in mind:

• F — Face. Is someone’s face drooping or showing weakness on one side?

• A — Arm. Is there weakness or numbness to one side of the body inhibiting someone from raising their arm?

• S — Speech. Is the person having trouble speaking, repeating simple sentences or showing signs of slurring their words?

• T — Time. If someone is showing one or all of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to call 9-1-1. Eighty percent of strokes are preventable so it’s better to play it safe and seek help if someone is showing signs of a stroke.