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Franklin County highlights American Heart Month; stroke survivor urges residents to learn FAST signs
Summary
Franklin County Public Health and the American Heart Association briefed commissioners on cardiovascular disease prevention; a local stroke survivor described symptoms and urged residents to recognize FAST signs to reduce mortality and disability.
Franklin County leaders marked American Heart Month with a brief from County Health Commissioner Joe Mazzola and the American Heart Association of Central Ohio. Mazzola said chronic cardiovascular disease remains the county’s leading cause of death and praised the county’s Hypertension Network for progress in blood‑pressure control.
Nancy Toby, executive director of the American Heart Association of Central Ohio, described the organization’s prevention, education and community partnerships and said the county‑AHA collaboration has helped save residents by focusing on blood‑pressure management and life’s essential eight risk factors.
The board then heard a personal account from Dawn, who spoke about what she described as a warning stroke she initially mistook for exhaustion. Dawn said she lost time at a red light, experienced facial droop that her young niece noticed on a FaceTime call, and was ultimately taken by ambulance and diagnosed in hospital. “If I hadn't answered that phone that day, that would have been the last time,” she told the commissioners, urging residents to learn FAST (Face, Arm, Speech, Time) warning signs and to seek immediate care.
Commissioners thanked the presenters and noted how survivor testimony can encourage prevention and quicker responses. County staff identified ongoing prevention activities, community screenings, and partnerships with health systems to continue hypertension and stroke awareness work.
