For the Abbott family, track and field is a family affair. Both of Ellen’s sons run for their school, with dad as one of the coaches. Right now, they’re helping out at a middle school track meet.

“The boys have always loved to run and I love to cheer them on. I love to see them win," said Ellen Abbott.

The boys have run in community events, too, like the American Heart Associations Heart Walk, since their mom is a stroke survivor.

“It was like three days before Christmas and I called my doctor and I'm like, 'I want to be home for my boys.' They were 8 and 6 at the time, and my doctor was able to get me home on Christmas Eve and my son calls it 'the Christmas miracle of awesomeness,' " Abbott said.

The cause of Ellen’s stroke was a torn carotid artery, causing blood clots to her brain, but there are many different reasons that can contribute to a stroke, including climate. A new study published in the medical journal Neurology found that since 1990, the number of strokes due to high and low temperatures have been going up around the world.

“What can happen in the extreme heat is patients can become very dehydrated, which can then lead to increased clotting. And so that may be why patients in these extreme temperatures are experiencing more frequent strokes," said Dr. Alexandra Paul, a spokesperson for the American Heart Association.

In 2019, more than 500,000 people died from strokes linked to both high and low temperatures. The study found the number will grow as the planet gets warme.

No matter the reason for a stroke, Abbott said it can happen to anyone.

Experts say to remember the acronym FAST when it comes to both signs of a stroke and how to handle one:

• Facial drooping
• Arm weakness
• Speech difficulties
• Time

“It happens to younger people. It happens to kids, happens to adults. And everybody needs to know their numbers, know the signs, know the symptoms so they can get the help they need," Abbott said.