When it comes to reacting to a stroke, the amount of time in which patient is treated is critical in their recovery, and that means knowing how to identify and treat a stroke is paramount to saving lives.

To help better educate the public on the devastating effects strokes can have on victims, and in accordance with Stroke Awareness Month, San Ramon Regional Medical Center will be hosting a series of free stroke events Wednesdays for all of May.

“Strokes are the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of disability. San Ramon Regional Medical Center is hosting free stroke events throughout the month to help educate the community on the importance of awareness and prevention. No registration necessary,” San Ramon Regional spokesperson Krista Deans said.

Residents may have missed the first event -- a stroke and hypertension class with free blood pressure readings held on May 8 -- but the hospital still has a series of educational events for participants to educate themselves and maybe one day save a life.

All remaining events for May will be held at the San Ramon Regional Main Lobby, 6001 Norris Canyon Road, San Ramon, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Remaining events include:

* May 15, Stroke and Diabetes Education

* May 22, Stroke and Diet & Exercise including Cardiac Rehab

* May 29, Stroke and Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapy.

Events will not only teach participants how to stay healthy and prevent strokes -- 80% of strokes are preventable according to the American Stroke Association -- but also how to identify when someone has suffered one.

San Ramon Regional officials say that common stroke symptoms include sudden numbness or weakness in the extremities, sudden confusion and trouble speaking, blurry vision, loss of coordination and a sudden severe headache.

San Ramon Regional is particularly known throughout the country as a premier stroke care center. Last summer the hospital received the Get With The Guidelines Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award from the American Stroke Association and the Heart Failure Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award from the American Heart Association, for its exemplary stroke care services. During that time it also received recognition as a Target: Stroke Elite Honor Roll program.

"We are dedicated to improving the quality of care for our stroke and heart failure patients by implementing the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines initiatives," San Ramon Regional CEO Ann Lucena said in a statement. "The tools and resources provided help us track and measure our success in meeting evidenced-based clinical guidelines developed to improve patient outcomes."