Spread the Word about Stroke this May

Did you know that up to 80 percent of strokes are preventable, yet it is expected that nearly 795,000 people will have a stroke in 2009? It would take more than eleven XLIII Super Bowl stadiums to hold all of those people! There are many ways to stop stroke by taking personal steps to manage risk factors.

Did you know that most strokes can be treated if symptoms are recognized F.A.S.T.? Using the F.A.S.T. method of symptom recognition and response can save lives.

Did you know that “hope” can be a key element of any stroke recovery and re-establishing a high quality of life? Having hope and knowledge about recovery options, recurrent stroke risk and how to become a self-advocate are important steps to consider no matter where a person is in their recovery journey.

May is National Stroke Awareness Month, a time to educate the nation and spread awareness about the continuum of stroke: prevention, symptom recognition and recovery. Being aware of these three key areas of stroke can help reduce the incidence and impact of stroke in America.



Risk factor management is part of stroke prevention. Americans can Stop Stroke by understanding and managing common risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, atrial fibrillation (a type of heart disease), diabetes, excess weight, smoking, excessive alcohol use and transient ischemic attack (TIA). Talk with your doctor to establish a plan for better risk factor management.

Most strokes can be treated. Act F.A.S.T. by recognizing and responding to stroke symptoms using the F.A.S.T. method – help improve opportunities for treatment at the same time. Every minute that brain cells are deprived of oxygen during stroke, the likelihood of brain damage increases. Treatment can be more effective if given early on.

• F = FACE - Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
• A = ARM - Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
• S = SPEECH - Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Does the speech sound slurred or strange?
• T = TIME - If you observe any of these signs, it’s time to call 9-1-1.

Stroke recovery can last a lifetime. Spread Hope about recovery by understanding post-stroke issues, encouraging active recovery participation and secondary stroke prevention. Learn about exercises and treatment options available for disabilities or other side effects from stroke.

Established in 1984, National Stroke Association is the only national organization in the U.S. that focuses 100 percent of its efforts on stroke. National Stroke Association achieves its mission to lower the incidence and impact of stroke by developing compelling community outreach programs, calling for continued improvement in the quality of stroke patient care, and educating both healthcare professionals and the general public about stroke.

For more information about National Stroke Awareness Month and National Stroke Association visit www.stroke.org or contact Taryn Fort, Director of Programs Marketing and Communications at (303) 754-0919 or