DALLAS, Oct. 25, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The American Stroke Association has joined other international organizations to urge people globally to "Act Now" to reduce stroke on World Stroke Day, Oct. 29.
The day's theme — "One in Six: Act Now!" — highlights the reality that one out of every six people worldwide has a stroke. Stroke is the second leading cause of death in the world behind heart disease. In the United States, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds and someone dies of one every three to four minutes.
As part of World Stroke Day, the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, is encouraging Americans to take the What's Your Stroke I.Q. Quiz to increase their awareness about stroke. The quiz tests people's knowledge of stroke risk factors and warning signs, healthy behaviors and what to do if someone suffers a stroke. After completing the six-question quiz, respondents are asked to share it with six other people.
"The American Stroke Association is proud to join the World Stroke Organization in bringing attention to the critical need of reducing stroke across the globe," said Edward Jauch, M.D., chairman of the American Stroke Association's Stroke Council. "Our message is one of empowerment."
The World Stroke Organization, which sponsors World Stroke Day annually, wants people to "act now" by taking these six challenges to lower stroke risk:
- Know the risk factors for stroke — high blood pressure, diabetes, high blood cholesterol, obesity, etc. — and keep them in a healthy range.
- Be physically active.
- Eat a healthy diet.
- Limit alcohol consumption.
- Avoid cigarette smoke. If you smoke, seek help to stop now.
- Learn the warning signs of stroke and how to respond.
"World Stroke Day is an opportunity for every American to examine their risk factors to help reduce the burden of stroke, as well as to take charge of their health before the disease occurs," said Jauch, professor, interim chief and research director for the Division of Emergency Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina. "Everyone must recognize the urgency to learn how to prevent stroke, learn about stroke risks and know how to act quickly by calling 9-1-1 when a stroke occurs."
Stroke occurs when a blood vessel in or leading to the brain bursts or is blocked by a blood clot. When this happens, part of the brain can't get the blood or oxygen it needs; so it starts to die. Depending on the severity of the stroke, paralysis or death may occur.
The World Stroke Organization was created on Oct. 29, 2006, at the Regional World Stroke Congress in Cape Town, South Africa, when the International Stroke Society and the World Stroke Federation merged. World Stroke Day is recognized every year on the "birthday" of the organization.
To learn more about stroke, visit strokeassociation.org.
Resources
Take the What's Your Stroke I.Q. Quiz, click here.
To learn the signs of stroke, click here.
To learn about ways to give, click here.
To learn more about stroke and its impact on African-Americans, visit Power To End Stroke.
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, we fund scientific research, help people better understand and avoid stroke, encourage government support, guide healthcare professionals, and provide information to stroke survivors and their caregivers to enhance their quality of life. To learn more, call 1-888-4STROKE.