When is World Stroke Day?
October 29th is World Stroke Day.
What is World Stroke Day?
You wouldn’t give up your right hand without a fight—not even if you’re a lefty—but a stroke might take it from you anyways. To prevent stroke-related paralysis and death, health advocates use World Stroke Day to raise awareness about stroke symptoms.
Strokes happen when blood stops flowing to part of the brain. Brain cells start to die from the lack of blood-borne oxygen. Depending on how much of the brain is damaged, the impact can range from temporary weakness in the limbs to permanent, serious disabilities. In 2005, about 14% of stroke victims did not survive the event.
The quicker a stroke victim gets medical help, the better their chances of recovery without long-term consequences. Learn the FAST acronym to remember the signs of a stroke:
F – Face Drooping
A – Arm weakness
S – Speech difficulty
T – Time to call 911
Know the symptoms, and you might save someone’s life.
Facts about World Stroke Day!
- Anyone can have a stroke, regardless of their age.
- Experts say that having a stroke before the age of 45 is not common, but one quarter of U.S. strokes occur in people younger than 65 years old.
- On average, someone in the U.S. has a stroke every 40 seconds.
How to celebrate World Stroke Day:
Stroke survivors often endure severe long-term disabilities, so support someone in your life who is taking care of a stroke victim. Offer to help, and encourage them in their work.
Learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of a stroke, and study the risk factors to see if you or someone you love is susceptible.
Research the strategies and lifestyle choices that can prevent strokes.
What’s the hashtag for World Stroke Day?
Use #WorldStrokeDay on social media to spread the word about strokes.