Stroke signs and symptoms - ABC 7
May 29, 2026 — As American Stroke Month comes to a close, Marcus Braz, area chief executive officer for Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sarasota, joined ABC Channel 7 to highlight the signs and symptoms of stroke and the importance of acting quickly. He appeared alongside a physician who walked viewers through the B.E. F.A.S.T. acronym — balance changes, eye (vision) changes, facial drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulties and time to call 911 — a tool to help people quickly recognize stroke warning signs and understand the urgency of seeking emergency care.
“The American Stroke Association recommends intensive rehabilitation as a critical part of achieving the best possible recovery after a stroke,” Braz said. “You want an inpatient rehabilitation hospital that specializes in treating stroke patients. That is exactly what Encompass Health does.”
Braz emphasized the value of comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation for stroke survivors and shared additional resources available beyond the hospital setting, including support groups, a Life After Stroke guidebook and a cookbook created by the American Heart Association specifically for stroke survivors.
“We have dedicated teams and therapists who specialize in treating neurological diseases and stroke,” he said. “We offer support groups and all the additional resources a patient may need throughout their recovery. [Support groups] give patients the opportunity to share their experience with others who have gone through something similar. It gives them hope and helps them see the potential outcomes they can achieve.”
Encompass Health Sarasota provides essential rehabilitation services including stroke rehabilitation. The hospital holds Joint Commission Disease-Specific Care Certification in Stroke Rehabilitation.