Since it's May, and May is National Stroke Awareness month, I wanted to share important information from the American Stroke Association (National Stroke Association, www.stroke.org).

Facts

• 800,000 people in the U.S. suffer strokes each year

• 5th highest cause of death in the United States

• 140,000 deaths in the U.S. each year

• 7,000,000 stroke survivors in the U.S.

• Leading cause of disability

• Up to 80% of all strokes are preventable through risk factor management

• On average, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds in the U.S.

Women & Strokes

• Stroke kills more than 2x as many American women every year as breast cancer

• More women than men die from stroke, and the risk is higher for women due to higher life expectancy

• Women suffer greater disability after stroke than men

• Women ages 45 to 54 are experiencing a stroke surge, mainly due to increased risk factors and lack of prevention knowledge

African Americans & Stroke

• Incidence is nearly double that of Caucasians

• African Americans suffer more extensive physical impairments

• 2x as likely to die from stroke than Caucasians

• High incidence of risk factors for stroke

  • Includes hypertension, diabetes, obesity, smoking and sickle cell anemia

Hispanics & Stroke

• Higher incidence among Mexican Americans than Caucasians

• Mexican Americans are at an increased risk for all types of stroke, and TIA at younger ages than Caucasians

• Spanish-speaking Hispanics are less likely to know stroke symptoms than English-speaking Hispanics, African Americans, and Caucasians

Prevention

• Stop smoking

• Lower your blood pressure

• Manage Afib, find out if you have atrial fibrillation (Afib)

• Drink alcohol in moderation, if you drink

• Lower your cholesterol

• Control diabetes

• Stop using illegal drugs

• Exercise daily

• Eat a lower sodium (salt) and lower fat diet

• If you have circulation problems, work with your healthcare professional to improve your circulation