ALEXANDRIA, La. (KALB) - Ten years ago, Rapides Regional Medical Center began “Tackling Stroke” at area high school football jamborees.

“Tackling Stroke” aims to raise awareness of the symptoms of strokes, along with the leading risk factors.

Members of the RRMC stroke team distribute hand-held fans to help spectators beat the heat of a Louisiana August night.

These fans have symptoms of a stroke printed on them to help people know what to look out for.

800,000 people suffer a stroke each year in the United States.

In Louisiana, stroke is the fifth-leading cause of death, and our stroke death rate is the third highest in the country.

Last year, Rapides Regional saw about 450 strokes.

The symptoms and warning signs of a stroke are best remembered by ‘be fast.’

“So the ‘B’ stands fo

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