Stroke Alert Unites Healthcare Professionals Across The USA To Educate The Public: Take Immediate Action

Main Category: Stroke
Article Date: 04 May 2007 - 12:00 PDT

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Healthcare organizations in five major metropolitan areas spanning the United States have joined together for a grassroots awareness campaign called Stroke Alert on May 8th. Doctors and other specialists in these organizations have independently set aside professional competition because they have identified a need to educate the community about Stroke warning signs and the role a Good Samaritan can play to help save a life.

Stroke Alert events will be occurring simultaneously on May 8th, 2007 in regions: Pennsylvania Delaware Valley, Northern California Greater Bay, New York Long Island, Florida Broward County, and Wisconsin-Chicagoland Great Lakes.

Stroke sufferers may be unaware or minimize the first signs of stroke. As a result, they rarely call 9-1-1. A friend or family member, even a Good Samaritan, needs to know the signs and make the call. "It is virtually always an observer who makes the call. Out of 600 surveyed stroke incidents, 596 emergency room visits occurred because of bystander action," says George C. Newman, MD, PhD, Chair of Neurosensory Sciences at Albert Einstein Healthcare Network in Philadelphia, PA, and lead organizer of Stroke Alert. "For this reason, everyone needs to know the signs of a stroke and have the courage to call 911. Which is why we say, 'Don't stall, make the call - call 9-1-1.'"

The impact of Stroke is widespread and severe. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in America. Every 45 seconds, someone in the United States suffers a stroke. For those who survive a stroke, it often means a life sentence of disabilities, including paralysis, memory loss and vision impairment. However, early intervention and treatment can significantly reduce the chance of impairment after a stroke.

Stroke strikes suddenly. 53-year old Michele Goldman of Philadelphia, Pa. was suffering from a headache that would not go away. Her friends convinced her to go to the hospital where she learned she had suffered a stroke. She credits her friends with saving her life. "I still have a lot I want to do - I've turned my whole life around," says Goldman.

Stroke Warning Signs Appear Suddenly

-- 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

Stroke Alert is not a fundraiser, nor is it an organization. It is doctors, nurses and other interested people recognizing a need and taking action to reduce the impact of stroke in the community. To save lives, the goal of Stroke Alert is to saturate the country on May 8th with information about stroke through free health assessments, news stories and educational campaigns. www.strokealert.org

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