Make May Purple/Action On Stroke Month, celebrated every May, is an event to raise awareness regarding strokes. The event, run by the Stroke Association, also uses May as the time of the year to collect funds for stroke research and provide aid to survivors. This is necessary since a stroke can often leave one with brain damage and paralysis. However, the negative impact of strokes can be avoided if communities band together and raise awareness about the actions that must be taken as soon as warning signs of a stroke appear. This month, dedicate yourself to the cause and help change the world.
History of Make May Purple /Action On Stroke Month
The Stroke Association designated the month of May as Stroke Awareness Month. During the month, extra efforts are made to raise awareness about the ailment to reduce stroke cases around the world. Moreover, the theme of the month is purple, and people are required to wear the color to raise awareness regarding the cause. Do you ever wonder why people devote so much time and effort to raising awareness about strokes? It is because those who suffer from a stroke either die instantly or suffer from painful disabilities due to the ailment’s damage to the body. When someone suffers from a stroke, all the blood supply to the brain is cut off, which can cause bleeding in the brain, death, or irreversible damage to the body in the form of paralysis.
Organizations are now working endlessly to develop an appropriate treatment for strokes since the ailment has existed for over 2,000 years. Yes, there is evidence that the disease was detected in the people living in ancient Greece. This condition is mentioned in the Hippocratic Corpus under the name of ‘apoplexia.’ It is stated, “It is impossible to cure a severe attack of apoplexy, and difficult to cure a mild one.” According to Galen, a Greek physician, the only cure is to consume a healthy diet and exercise frequently.
Common stroke symptoms include drooping eyes, mouth, arms, and legs, blurred vision, slurred speech, weakness, paralysis, loss of consciousness, severe headache, or dizziness.
Make May Purple /Action On Stroke Month timeline
Johann Jacob Wepfer, a physician practicing in Switzerland, identifies the root causes of stroke.
Surgeons perform surgery on the carotid arteries to cure strokes.
Computed tomography leads to a breakthrough in stroke diagnostics.
It is estimated that 17 million people suffer from strokes, and 33 million had a stroke and were still alive.
Make May Purple /Action On Stroke Month FAQs
What is the main cause of stroke?
High blood pressure is considered the leading cause of stroke.
Can aspirin prevent a stroke?
It may stop a clot-related stroke from occurring but can increase the risk of hemorrhagic stroke.
Can stress cause a stroke?
Yes, it can. Stress makes the heart work harder and also increases blood pressure, in turn increasing the risk of stroke.
How to Observe Make May Purple /Action On Stroke Month
Talk about the dangers of strokes
Strokes result in brain damage and death across the world. Use this month to talk about the dangers of stroke and educate others about the warning signs.
Donate away
Many hospitals and research institutes are trying to create medication and other innovations that may reduce the risk of strokes. Donate to such organizations and help with the cause.
Research and share
Research all that you can about strokes and share your findings on social media platforms in the form of graphics. You can also re-post articles written by health magazines regarding the ailment.
5 Interesting Facts About Stroke
Ages of people hospitalized for strokes
In 2014, it has been estimated that 38% of the people suffering from strokes were younger than 65.
Time required to prevent stroke damage
One must arrive at the hospital within 60 minutes of symptoms.
Stroke risk in people of color
Black people have a higher rate of death due to stroke than any other racial group.
Strokes that can be prevented
Over 80% of strokes can be prevented if critical care is delivered on time.
Brain damage due to stroke
Approximately 1.9 million brain cells die every minute during a stroke.
Why Make May Purple /Action On Stroke Month is Important
This month spreads awareness
We love the month because it spreads awareness regarding strokes. We learn more about how dangerous strokes can be, why they need to be prevented, and what measures can be taken to avoid suffering from a stroke.
It increases research
The Action on Stroke month also calls upon researchers and healthcare industries to place more effort into determining a cure for stroke since it causes a high number of deaths yearly. It sheds light on the importance of research and early treatment of stroke.
It helps us handle stroke cases better
The month is crucial because thousands of people suffer from strokes yearly. However, due to a delay in emergency care, many people lose their lives or have developmental disabilities. The month helps identify stroke causes and guides how one should handle them.
Make May Purple /Action On Stroke Month dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | May 1 | Friday |
| 2027 | May 1 | Saturday |
| 2028 | May 1 | Monday |
| 2029 | May 1 | Tuesday |
| 2030 | May 1 | Wednesday |
