COMMUNITY Methodist launches five-year stroke awareness campaign

Ask someone if they know what they can do to lower their risk for heart attack. Chances are they’ll rattle off a number of things, including eat a healthy diet low in cholesterol, exercise and don’t smoke. But if you ask what they can do to lower their risk for stroke, more than likely they’ll be stumped.

A stroke occurs every 45 seconds and kills one of every four victims, making it the third leading cause of death for Americans.It is a major public health threat, and the statistics are even more alarming for Harris County, which has a higher stroke death rate than the national average. The only way to affect this alarming trend is to increase community awareness about this deadly and debilitating disease. The Methodist Hospital System has launched the comprehensive five-year Taking Strides4Stroke: Community Stroke Awareness Campaign. Led by the Methodist Neurological Institute’s Eddy Scurlock Stroke Center, the campaign targets the diverse age groups and ethnicities in the greater Houston area.

The campaign focuses on educating the public on stroke symptoms, treatment and prevention, and includes activities such as a series of health screenings and Healthy Knowledge seminars.

Healthy communities begin with healthy families so the first major campaign event is designed to bring families together in the fight against stroke. The Stride4StrokeWalk and Run will be held on the Rice University campus on March 24, 2007. Houston’s only 5K event dedicated solely to stroke awareness will be a funfilled day of activities for the entire family.

The Taking Strides4Stroke: Community Stroke Awareness Campaign is made possible by the generous support of individuals, corporations and foundations committed to building a healthier Houston community. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Eddy Scurlock Stroke Center, as well as other stroke activities in The Methodist Hospital System.

.7 million

Number of strokes that occur in the United States each year

5.5 million

Number of U.S. stroke survivors alive today

25% Percentage of strokes that occur in people under age of 65

60% Percentage of stroke deaths in women

$57 billion

Direct and indirect costs associated with stroke in 2005

Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Stroke Association

For more information on the campaign or to request sponsorship materials,please contact

Amanda Pilcher at 832-667-5839.

Astroke occurs when a blood vessel that brings oxygen and nutrients to the brain bursts

or is clogged by a blood clot or some other particle.Because of this rupture or blockage,part of the brain doesn’t get the blood and oxygen it needs.Deprived of oxygen,nerve cells in the affected area of the brain die within minutes.

The risk factors for stroke that you can control or treat are:

❖ High blood pressure ❖ Tobacco use ❖ Diabetes mellitus ❖ Carotid or other artery disease ❖ Atrial fibrillation or other heart

disease

❖ A history of TIAs

(“mini strokes”)

❖ A high red blood cell count ❖ Sickle cell anemia ❖ High blood cholesterol ❖ Physical inactivity ❖ Overweight and obesity ❖ Excessive alcohol intake ❖ Some illegal drugs

Source: American Stroke Association