Some information for you on World Stroke Day

Every six seconds — someone somewhere will die from stroke.

The World Stroke Organization (WSO) is calling for urgent action to address the silent stroke epidemic by launching the “One in Six” campaign today, which is World Stroke Day.

Stroke facts Stroke is: The second leading cause of death for people older than 60; The fifth leading cause in people aged 15 to 59; and A danger for children, including newborns. Each year, nearly six million people die from stroke. In fact, stroke is responsible for more deaths every year than those attributed to AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria put together. More information is available online at http://www.worldstrokecampaign.org/.

The “One in Six” campaign aims to reduce the burden of stroke by acting on six easy challenges:

• Know your personal risk factors: high blood pressure, diabetes and high blood cholesterol;
  
• Be physically active and exercise regularly;
  
• Avoid obesity by keeping to a healthy diet;
  
• Limit alcohol consumption;
  
• Avoid cigarette smoke. If you smoke, seek help to stop now; and
  
• Learn to recognize the warning signs of a stroke and how to take action.

“We know that certain habits that we do like smoking significantly increase the risk of stroke,” said Pierre Fayad, M.D., chairman of the UNMC Department of Neurological Sciences and medical director of The Nebraska Medical Center’s Stroke Center. “Lack of physical activity on a regular basis increases the risk of stroke. Regular, moderate physical activity, not more than half an hour of walking three to four times a week is enough to reduce one’s risk.”