Austin’s commitment to community well-being has never been stronger. Our business community is playing a vital role in driving that momentum. But there is still more to do. One of the most powerful – and preventable – threats we face is stroke, which remains the No. 4 cause of death in Travis County. Recognizing the signs early can mean the difference between life and death. That’s why the American Heart Association is teaming up with Ascension Seton to help everyone B.E. F.A.S.T. to prevent stroke.

Stroke can affect anyone, of any age. Just ask Matt Hokenson, a father of three boys in his early 40s, who woke up one morning with what he assumed was a migraine. He drank coffee, drove his children to school, and tried to push through the day. But something was wrong. On the drive, he noticed that, although his boys were bantering and playing as usual, he couldn’t understand what they were saying. At the time, he attributed this to the migraine and went straight home to rest. He tried to text his wife, Jenna, that he was feeling sick, but couldn’t find a way for the words he typed to make sense. Finally, he called her, still intending to just take off work and spend the day resting. Instead, she recognized one of the key signs of stroke, speech difficulty, and drove Matt to the Ascension Seton Emergency Room in Kyle, where clinicians immediately began care.

“By the time I got to the ER, I didn’t know what a car was, or a cactus, or a bucket,” said Matt. “I couldn’t remember where I was – I thought I was in a hotel. I didn’t even know my kids’ names.”
After the first day in care, Matt began getting his words back, but his medical team was determined to figure out why the stroke had happened. They uncovered a rare genetic heart condition – Apical Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy – that Matt never knew he had. Acting quickly, the team installed a defibrillator, and Matt was able to return home to begin the process of recovering.
One of Matt’s primary concerns was being able to get back to work. A general manager at Porsche South Austin, Matt had a reputation for reliability and for determinedly pushing through difficult times. But stroke recovery takes time, and brain rest is one of the most crucial parts of that process.

“I was fortunate that the dealership and my boss were so supportive of me,” said Matt. “They told me not to worry – my job would still be here when I got back, however long that took. Without that extra stress, I feel like I was really able to focus on my recovery. I don’t know that I would’ve been able to heal so well without their support alongside the support of the team at Ascension Seton.”
In the end, Matt was able to return to his normal daily life in just three months. He’s begun using this experience to advocate to his sons, colleagues, and the wider community: listen to your body, be vulnerable, and ask for help.

“I used to say, ‘No, I’m fine,’ and deal with things on my own,” Matt said. “Now I tell my boys it’s okay to ask for help. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.”
That’s why B.E. F.A.S.T. is so important. The stroke-identifying acronym is easy to remember and easy to act on. Keep an eye out for

• Balance
• Eyes / vision changes
• Facial drooping
• Arm weakness
• Speech difficulty
• Time to call 911

For business leaders, this matters not only at home but also in the workplace. Your employees, customers, and teammates may experience these symptoms at work, events, or on job sites. Broad awareness empowers quick action. That’s part of Ascension Seton’s goal as Live Fierce, Be Relentless sponsor and B.E. F.A.S.T. sponsor.

Recognizing the signs and receiving rapid treatment, like Matt’s trip to the Ascension Seton E.R., make lifesaving care possible when every second counts. If you or your company would like to learn more about stroke awareness and what you can do to make your team safer against stroke, visit American Stroke Month | American Stroke Association

Austin’s business community continues to champion health through events like CycleNation, supporting stroke and heart disease prevention, and Red Hot Summer Night, where young professionals raise funds for local heart and brain health initiatives. Together, with supporters like Ascension Seton, our companies and leaders are building a safer, healthier Austin. When businesses lead with heart, the entire community thrives.

BE FAST. Be prepared. And be the reason someone survives.