According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mathews County has a higher rate of deaths caused by stroke than state and national averages. Mathews experiences 92.3 stroke deaths per 100,000 residents, as reported from 2021-2023. This is higher than the state average (80.7) and national average (77.5). The rate of death from strokes in Mathews is up from what was reported during 2020-2022, which was 78.2. The stroke rates in Gloucester and Middlesex counties are also both higher than the state and national averages at 82.1 and 83.7, respectively. Riverside Walter Reed Hospital emergency physician Sudershan Gupta has provided information on symptoms to watch for in yourself and others, risk factors, treatment processes, as well as preventative measures to take to avoid a stroke. Strokes are defined as “any deficit in neurological level,” said Gupta. They can cause lack of muscle strength, vision loss, a drooping face, speech impairment and “even confusion at times.” If th...