May is Stroke Month - Learn about Power to End Stroke

Click on the image above or visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEO45N_BAW8 to learn about the American Stroke Association and the Power to End Stroke campaign.

Stroke is the #3 killer of Americans and leading cause of long-term disability; Power to End Stroke initiative raises awareness of increased stroke risk among minorities

Monday, May 3, 2010 – May is American Stroke Month, a special opportunity to focus on the risks and warning signs associated with stroke, the third leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of long-term disability. More than 700,000 people suffer a stroke each year – that’s one person every 45 seconds.

About Stroke:
Stroke is not inevitable and it does not have to be debilitating or deadly. By knowing your risks, controlling your risk factors, and working with your doctor to eliminate or manage your risks, you may prevent stroke. By knowing the warning signs and seeking prompt medical attention, rehabilitation and survival are possible – even probable.

To help prevent a stroke, the American Stroke Association recommends maintaining a healthy weight through diet and physical activity, controlling high blood pressure and cholesterol, refraining from smoking, avoiding exposure to second-hand smoke, and treating disorders that increase the risk of stroke.

About the Power to End Stroke Campaign:
In addition to their increased likelihood of suffering a stroke, African Americans are more likely to be affected by stroke at an earlier age, often facing disability during the prime of life. Power to End Stroke is an educational and awareness campaign designed to embrace and celebrate the culture, energy, creativity and lifestyles of African Americans. It unites African Americans to help make an impact on the high incidence of stroke within the community.

To accomplish this, the campaign encourages the public to reduce their individual risks for stroke, to recognize the signs of stroke, to respond quickly if faced with stroke-like symptoms, and to take the pledge to get personally involved in spreading the word.

About Stroke Warning Signs:
It is important for the public to recognize the signs and symptoms of stroke. Although the following is a summary, not all of these signs occur in every attack. If an individual notices one or more of these signs, the American Stroke Association encourages them to seek medical attention by calling 9-1-1 immediately.

• Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg on one side of the body.
• Sudden dimness or loss of vision, particularly in one eye.
• Loss of speech, or trouble talking or understanding speech.
• Sudden, severe headaches with no apparent cause.
• Unexplained dizziness, unsteadiness or sudden falls, especially along with any of the previous symptoms.

For More Information:
To learn more about American Stroke Month or the American Stroke Association and its lifesaving mission, please call 1-888-4STROKE or log on to http://www.strokeassociation.org/

About the American Stroke Association
Created in 1997 as a division of the American Heart Association, the American Stroke Association works to improve stroke prevention, diagnosis and treatment to save lives from stroke — America’s No. 3 killer and a leading cause of serious disability. To do this, the association funds scientific research, helps people better understand and avoid stroke, encourages government support, guides healthcare professionals, and provides information to stroke survivors and their caregivers to enhance their quality of life. To learn more, call 1-888-4STROKE or visit www.strokeassociation.org