What's important: Stories of survival

Today is World Stroke Day. Now, that doesn't mean a lot to me. Strokes don't keep a calendar, This blog is not part of a non-profit trying to raise profile or raise funding (both of which are needed and important, by the way).

But I did run across a Tampa Bay Times piece about the most important part of stroke awareness - people. Check out the link to read three stories of survival:

"I was having a perfect day and felt completely fine the second before my left side went out," she said.

Bedinghaus is like many Americans who have suffered a stroke and didn't see it coming.

Wednesday is World Stroke Day, and the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association of Tampa Bay use the day as an opportunity to encourage everyone to learn the warning signs of a stroke by using the acronym FAST:

Face drooping; Arm weakness; Slurred speech; and Time to call 911.

‘Hercules’ urges stroke awareness

Today is World Stroke Day, a day to push for awareness of stroke signs and know what to do when you see these signs.

Even ‘Hercules’ star and stroke survivor Kevin Sorbo urges stroke awareness:

On World Stroke Day, Oct. 29, he’s joining forces with the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, to spread the word about something else he’s learned about stroke: In many circumstances, it is beatable.

Kevin Sorbo, star of the television series “Hercules,” was only 38 when he suffered three strokes.  That was how he learned anyone can have a stroke.

"Like my character, Hercules, I thought I was invincible," said Sorbo, author of True Strength: My Journey from Hercules to Mere Mortal and How Nearly Dying Saved My Life. “There are many myths and misconceptions about stroke. As a survivor, I have learned that stroke is largely preventable, treatable and beatable."

Be sure to schedule your stroke carefully...

Kind if a sad story - from the recent World Stroke Day - about a civilized country that only offers one particular type of stroke treatment during business hours only. So if you plan to have a stroke in Wales, be sure to have it during weekdays, 9 to 5.

'Faster care' for stroke victims across health boards:

About 11,500 people in Wales suffer a stroke or TIA each year and medical professionals say quick treatment means a better outcome and recovery for the patient. Approximately 11% of all deaths in the UK are caused by strokes.

Under the plans, access to a clot-busting drug, thrombolysis, currently offered only during weekday office hours will be expanded to 24 hours a day, every day, across all of Wales by 2011.

The drug is given to patients who suffer certain types of stroke and can limit the long term brain damage. However, to be effective it has to be carried out within three hours of the stroke happening.

Announced on World Stroke Awareness Day, health boards will from next year will offer "specialist assessment, preventative treatment and lifestyle advice in a single hospital visit."

World Stroke Day: Oct. 29

Oct. 29 is World Stroke Day - marking attention for the third leading cause of death in the United States.

The numbers are sobering. In the U.S., more than 795,000 strokes occur each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The cost in dollars: $73 million. The cost of death and disability is uncountable. It is the leading cause of permanent disability in the United States.  Every six seconds, someone in the world dies from a stroke.

But it's not just numbers. World Stroke Day campaign also highlights the fact that stroke can be prevented and that stroke survivors can recover and regain their quality of life with care and support: To quote the CDC:

The campaign is asking people to commit to six ways to reduce their likelihood of having a stroke.

1. Know one's personal risk factors, including diagnosed high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol.
2. Be physically active and exercise regularly.

3. Avoid obesity by eating a healthy diet with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.
4. Limit alcohol consumption.
5. Avoid cigarette smoke. People who smoke should seek help to stop now.
6. Learn to recognize the warning signs of a stroke and call 9-1-1 right away if someone is suspected of having a stroke.

The links on this list will lead you to other resources and previous postings. Preventing a stroke can prevent the loss of a life or a life of disability.

World Stroke Day - a prayer

A late note about a day that should be more recognized: World Stroke Day. From the New Zealand Stroke Foundation:

Stroke is the second largest cause of death in the developed world, as it is in New Zealand. On World Stroke Day (29 October) the NZ Stroke Foundation is calling on New Zealanders to attend to their risk of stroke.

"The simple fact is that the majority of strokes are preventable," says Stroke Foundation CEO Mark Vivian. "Making simple lifestyle changes can help prevent stroke.

"Eating a healthy diet with reduced salt, having regular physical activity, not drinking too much alcohol and being smokefree will reduce your risk of stroke. And very importantly, make sure you keep your blood pressure down."

A prayer that people become more aware of stroke prevention efforts, and signs and symptoms.

(Image from Stroke, the journal of the American Stroke Association)