Stroke is the number three killer of Americans and is a leading cause of serious long-term disability.
Studies show that about 795,000 strokes occur in the United States each year, and of these, 143,579 people die from this deadly disease. Experts say that if people knew the signs and symptoms of stroke and got to the hospital within the first three hours of symptom onset, many more lives could be saved.
The Carolinas Center for Medical Excellence (CCME) is pleased to announce its support of National Stroke Awareness Month in May to increase awareness about the warning signs and symptoms of stroke and the importance of calling 911.
“The general knowledge regarding stroke is quite poor in our communities,” said Gladys Lundy, a stroke survivor and president of The Minority Women’s Health Project. “Stroke awareness is about education. . . equipping consumers with information that can possibly save their lives.”
Ms. Lundy suffered two strokes before she was 46 years old, leaving her physically incapacitated and unable to talk. She spent the next four years in a nursing home where rehabilitation was difficult. She also battled depression.
Over time, she relearned how to talk and regained her mobility. Her strength gradually grew, and she began to participate in many volunteer efforts. She convened support groups and talked to leaders in government and industry. Today, she is a member of the Board of Directors for WomenHeart, the national coalition for women with heart disease, and she is a strong advocate for women’s heart health in North Carolina. She is the founder of The Minority Women’s Health Project, a nonprofit organization that addresses health issues affecting women of color, and she recently accepted the position of Chair for the Wake County Area “Power to End Stroke” Leadership Task Force.
“I have a story to tell, and I want other people to hear it,” she said. “I ignored the symptoms of my first stroke because I didn’t know enough. I feel empowered now, because I can share this with others and make a difference.”
Ms. Lundy said information and education are the keys to taking control of one’s heart health. She said National Stroke Awareness Month is a timely reminder of how people and organizations can come together to support stroke survivors through their lifelong journey of recovery. “After a life-changing event like a stroke or heart attack, we often think of our lives differently,” she said. “And there is that strong desire to do everything you can to help keep another stroke or heart attack from being a part of your future and to prevent this from reaching your family, friends, and community. We must use this time to improve public knowledge of the risk factors, signs, and symptoms of stroke.”
The National Stroke Awareness Month Program is run by the National Stroke Association, which is dedicated to promoting public awareness about stroke risk factors, stroke symptoms, and stroke preventive measures. The program places emphasis on making the public aware of “acting FAST.”
Experts say seconds count, and to get treatment within three hours. Do not wait.
For the most common types of strokes, called ischemic strokes, where arteries are blocked by a clot, new clot-busting drugs can reopen blocked arteries and limit the damage. To be eligible for this type of treatment, however, one of the criteria that patients have to meet is that they must arrive at the hospital within three hours of first noticing symptoms. Call 911 immediately if you experience any signs or symptoms of a stroke: ● Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body. ● Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding. ● Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes. ● Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or coordination. ● Sudden, severe headache with no known cause. Research suggests that 80 percent of strokes in the United States can be prevented—that’s more than 630,000 American men and women. While there are risk factors that cannot be controlled, such as age, gender, race, family history, or a previous stroke history, there are many healthy lifestyle choices that can lower your risk. The best defense against having a stroke is knowing the risk factors that you can control. These include: ● Controlling your blood pressure. ● Controlling your cholesterol. ● Controlling your blood sugar if you have diabetes. ● Eating healthy. ● Exercising. ● Stopping smoking. “It is the time to initiate and to continue dialogue within our communities,” Ms. Lundy said. “For some, awareness of stroke symptoms may begin in May, but education must be continued for a lifetime.” For more information, visit the Start With Your Heart website at www.startwithyourheart.com, the National Stroke Association website at www.stroke.org, CCME’s website at www.thecarolinascenter.org, the American Stroke Association website at www.strokeassociation.org, and the H.O.P.E. for Stroke website at www.Hope4Stroke.com
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