May is American Stroke Awareness Month

Editor's Note: The following are two news releases issued by the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association.

According to the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, about 795,000 Americans suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year--which means a stroke occurs every 40 seconds on average. About 610,000 of these are first or new strokes and an estimated 185,000 people who survive a stroke go on to have another in their lifetime.

The American Stroke Association notes that major milestones have been reached in the fight against stroke with the announcement earlier this year highlighting that federal statistics show-for the first time in 50 years-stroke has dropped from the third to the fourth leading cause of death in our nation. However, stroke still claims an estimated 130,000 Americans each year and remains a leading cause of long term disability. Therefore, the Association urges everyone to participate this May in American Stroke Awareness Month by taking time to learn about warning signs and ways to prevent this often deadly and debilitating disease.

Stroke is a type of cardiovascular disease that occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood that it needs to function.

Know the signs 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.
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause.

If you or someone with you has one or more of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately. Time is of the essence when it comes to a stroke. If a clot-busting drug called tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is given within the recommended start of symptoms, it can reduce long-term disability for the most common type of stroke.

The American Stroke Association notes some stroke risk factors are hereditary or are part of natural processes, including a prior stroke or heart attack, age, family history, gender or race. African Americans have almost twice the risk of experiencing a first-ever stroke compared to Caucasians.

Other risk factors can be changed or controlled, including high blood pressure, smoking, high blood cholesterol, poor diet and physical inactivity.

The American Stroke Association recommends the following to lessen your risk for stroke:

Eat a healthy diet.

Eat a variety of nutritious foods from all of the food groups. Choose foods like lean meats, fish and poultry without skin, vegetables, fruits, whole-grain products and fat-free or low-fat dairy products. Cut back on foods and beverages high in cholesterol, salt and added sugars.

Know your blood pressure.

People with normal blood pressure have about half the risk of stroke as those with high blood pressure.

Exercise every day.

Walk or do other forms of physical activity for at least 30 minutes on most or all days. Check with your doctor before beginning any exercise routine.

Stop smoking.

Nonsmokers have about half the risk of stroke as people who smoke cigarettes.

Avoid excessive alcohol consumption.

An average of more than one alcoholic drink a day for women or more than two drinks a day for men raises blood pressure and can lead to a stroke.

Stop any illegal drug use.

Intravenous drug abuse carries a high risk of stroke. Cocaine use has also been linked to strokes and heart attacks. Some have been fatal even in first-time users.

Make sure you receive quality care.

Finding a doctor you can trust can be challenging. That's why the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and the American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association joined forces to create a new program that recognizes primary care physicians and others who care for patients with cardiovascular disease and stroke.

To learn more visit strokeassociation.org or call 1-888-4STROKE.

Each year, an estimated 795,000 people experience a new or recurrent stroke, killing 137,000 people. That means, on average, a stroke occurs every 40 seconds. Forty percent of stroke victims are men and 60 percent are women.

When a loved one suffers a stroke, it can be overwhelming for family members who will most likely become the caregivers. Taking time out for your self is essential. If you try to wait for all of your chores and responsibilities to your loved one to be finished, you may be waiting a long time.

To help you get started, try these tips. They can make all the difference for everyone.

Top 10 things you need to do regularly:

1. Get regular physical activity. Regular, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity is a good energizer that reduces stress, helps keep blood pressure and cholesterol at heart-healthy levels and helps maintain healthy weight. Aim for 30 minutes a day which can be broken down to 10- or 15-minute sessions.

2. Eat heart-healthy foods. They give you more energy, keep your brain fed (which helps combat depression) and help prevent other health problems. If you have to "eat on the run" choose nutritious snacks.

3. Take time every day for an activity that you enjoy such as reading, listening to music, crafts, cooking - whatever makes you happy and relax.

4. Keep humor in your life. Laughter IS good medicine. Find the humor in your situation when possible. Watch a silly TV program or pop in a comedy movie. Find things to laugh about with your loved ones. Laughter quickens the pulse rate, stimulates the blood circulation, activates muscles, increases oxygen intake and helps you relax.

5. Get out once a week and go somewhere enjoyable. Visit the local coffee shop, attend church events, take a class, visit a friend or just wander around the mall or a park. If your loved one needs constant attention, ask for help. You can find someone to give an hour a week to let you get out.

6. Treat depression and stress. Recognize signs and symptoms and do something about it as soon as it starts. If you think you may be depressed, get professional help, talk about it and admit your feelings.

7. Take care of your business. Keep your checkbook balanced, work when you need to, spend time with friends and family and don't stop planning for the future. If you live totally "in the moment" of your caregiver responsibilities, you'll find it more difficult to re-integrate into life later on. Keep living.

8. Keep all your medical and dental appointments. Do all you can to keep from getting sick. If you're sick, you won't be able to do what your loved one needs. Ask for help when you need it and take care of your health.

9. Think positive. Take time every day to refresh your mind. Admit your limitations. Let go of the guilt. Admit if you are angry. Pat yourself on the back for the job you're doing. If you are feeling guilty or angry, take a break.

10. Stay connected with the outside world, even if it's just by phone or online. Don't isolate yourself. Talk to friends about something other than your situation. Stay interested in what would be going on in your life if you weren't care giving. It's still there and you're still a part of it.

Stroke is a medical emergency. The signs of a stroke include; 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.

If you or someone you know has one or more of these signs, don't delay. Immediately call 9-1-1 or the emergency medical services (EMS) number so an ambulance can be sent for you. Also, check the time so you'll know when the first symptoms appeared. It's very important to take immediate action. If given within three hours of the start of symptoms, a clot-busting drug called tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) can reduce long-term disability for the most common type of stroke.

For more tips, tools and support, or to find out more about stroke, call 1-888-4STROKE or visit 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, 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 or visit strokeassociation.org.