The Power to End Stroke Campaign

The Power to End Stroke Campaign is an education and awareness campaign launched by the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association.  Its goal is to educate the public on stroke prevention and treatment.  A major goal of the campaign is to dramatically reduce the risk of stroke throughout the nation.   I, like many Americans, have family members who have been personally affected by strokes.  It is a scary thing, but education is the one thing that can transform fear into empowerment.  
 

Stroke is the no. 3 cause of death in the United States.  It is a cardiovascular disease that occurs when a blood vessel that is carrying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is blocked by a clot or bursts.   Warning signs include:

· Numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body

· Confusion

· Trouble speaking or understanding

· Trouble seeing in one or both eyes

· Difficulty walking

· Dizziness

· Loss of balance or coordination

· Severe headache with no known cause 

Every second counts and it is imperative that if these symptoms occur you immediately seek medical help.  Because Stroke is a form of cardiovascular disease, there are steps that you can take to reduce your risks.   

To find out more and to take a personal risk assessment, go to http://www.powertoendstroke.org/index.html

Best,

Ciji Dodds

Miss International 2011