Strike Out Strokes Month is observed annually in May. Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States, and it can happen to anyone at any time. So it becomes essential to inform people about the symptoms of stroke and ways of preventing it. If you suspect that a stroke is occurring, there is a phrase to keep in mind called BE FAST: Balance Eyes, Face, Arms, Speech, and Time to call 911 immediately if you recognize any of these symptoms. Immediate treatment can minimize brain damage, limit complications, and, most of all, save lives.
History of Strike Out Strokes Month
Strike Out Strokes Month is founded by Pharmacists Public Health Initiatives (P.P.H.I.). It was observed in May in the United States and aims to raise public awareness of symptoms of stroke and means to prevent it. As the fifth leading cause of death in the United States, stroke can suddenly happen to anyone at any age, at any time. That’s why it’s essential to know the warning signs so that one can minimize brain damage, limit complications, prevent additional strokes, and, more importantly, save lives through immediate treatment.
Stroke is a disease that occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is blocked (ischemic stroke) or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts (hemorrhagic stroke). The leading cause of stroke is high blood pressure, and other causes include high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, smoking, and previous stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (T.I.A.). So, to prevent it from occurring, one must make healthy lifestyle choices and control their medical conditions: maintaining blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes; doing physical activity to keep a healthy weight; treating heart conditions, if any; avoiding smoking or quitting it.
Now, what are the symptoms of a stroke? BE FAST is the phrase to remember if you suspect someone is having a stroke. Balance: Does s/he experience a sudden loss of balance or coordination? Eyes: Is there a sudden blurred or double vision or a sudden loss of vision? Face: Ask her/him to smile — do one or both sides of the face droop? Arms: Ask her/him to raise both arms — does one arm drift downward; is one arm weak or numb? Speech: Is her/his speech slurred; can s/he repeat simple phrases? Time: Time matters in this case, so if you see any of those symptoms, call 911 for immediate medical attention.
Strike Out Strokes Month timeline
Hippocrates first recognizes a stroke, called 'apoplexy,' which means ‘struck down by violence’ in Greek.
Johann Jakob Wepfer identifies the cause of hemorrhagic stroke, which is bleeding in the brain.
Dr. Amos Twitchell performs the first successful ligation of the carotid artery in the United States.
The term ‘brain attack’ starts to be used, referring to both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke.
Strike Out Strokes Month FAQs
Can drinking water help prevent a stroke?
Drinking enough water regularly prevents dehydration and keeps the blood less viscous. So, it can help prevent stroke.
What time of day are strokes most common?
Ischemic stroke is said to be occurring most often after awakening in the morning hours.
What is a silent stroke?
A silent stroke is a stroke that doesn’t cause any noticeable symptoms, increasing the risk for both transient ischemic attack and major stroke in the future.
How to Observe Strike Out Strokes Month
Spread the word
Strike Out Strokes Month allows you to raise public awareness of the warning signs of stroke and ways to prevent it. It’s time for you to share the information with your family, your friends, and other people you know.
Make healthy lifestyle choices
You have helped share the information with others regarding stroke. Now is the time for you to start or continue leading a healthy lifestyle. Remember to do physical activity to keep a healthy weight to prevent obesity that can lead to stroke. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do, you may want to consider quitting smoking.
Control your medical conditions
Hypertension is the leading cause of stroke, and since it doesn’t show any symptoms, you must have your blood pressure checked regularly. Besides, you must maintain your cholesterol and diabetes as high cholesterol and diabetes are also two causes of stroke.
5 Facts About Stroke You Need To Know
Around 87% of its cases are ischemic
Around 87% of all strokes are ischemic strokes, in which the blood supply to part of the brain is blocked.
Every 40 seconds, someone has it
In the United States, every 40 seconds, someone has a stroke, and someone dies because of it every three minutes and a half.
Every year, over 795,000 people have it
A stroke occurs in over 795,000 people in the United States every year.
320,000 can be prevented each year
Controlling blood pressure can prevent 320,000 cases of strokes each year.
Every minute, two million brain cells die
Until blood flow is restored, two million brain cells die every minute during a stroke.
Why Strike Out Strokes Month is Important
It raises awareness
Strokes can occur in anyone at any age, at any time, being the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. Strike Out Strokes Month in May is a chance for us to share the information so that we can prevent it, know the warning signs to act quickly when it seems to occur, and save lives.
It serves as a reminder
Since stroke can happen to anyone no matter the age, we must prevent it from occurring in ourselves or our loved ones. Strike Out Strokes Month is a reminder for us to start leading a healthy lifestyle and maintaining health conditions.
It reminds us to get checked
Now we realize that high blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke. But we may not get our blood pressure checked regularly due to many reasons. This whole month will make us remember to get it checked as soon as we can.
Strike Out Strokes Month dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | May 1 | Wednesday |
| 2025 | May 1 | Thursday |
| 2026 | May 1 | Friday |
| 2027 | May 1 | Saturday |
| 2028 | May 1 | Monday |
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