ple in the world will suffer a stroke in his or herlifetime regardless of age, gender, ethnic origin or coun- try. The American Heart Association and World Stroke Organiza- tion want you to take action now to lower your chances of having a stroke. There are steps you can take to make a difference: WhatYou Can Do Take the American Heart Association’s My Life Check health assessment (strokeassociation. org/worldstrokeday), an online tool that calculates how healthy you are, teaches how to create an action plan to achieve better health and provides simple steps to change unhealthy behavior. The WSO also offers six simple steps that can help you avoid America’s No.3 killer: 1. Know your personal risk factors for stroke: high blood pressure, diabetes and high blood cholesterol. 2. Be physically active and exercise regularly. 3. Adopt a healthydiet. 4. Limit alcohol consumption. 5. Avoid cigarette smoke. If you smoke, seek help to stop now. 6. Learn to recognize the warningsignsof a stroke and how to take action by dialing 9-1-1 immediately. Doctor’s Advice Jeffrey Saver, M.D., chairman of the American Stroke Association’s Stroke Council and director Simple steps can help you avoid America’s third-largest killer: stroke. of the UCLA Stroke Center, said: “Stroke occurs when a blood vessel in or leading to the brain bursts or is blocked by a blood clot. When this happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood or oxygenit needs, so it starts to die; depending on the severity, immobility or paralysis may occur. “Stroke may deprive a person of his or herlivelihood, diminish independence and create a burden that must be shared by family members and society. So by avoiding stroke, we can help reduce the burden to our loved onesandsociety.” Learn More To take the assessment, learn more about stroke and what you can do to take action, visit www.strokeassociation.org/worlds trokeday orcall (888) 4STROKE. ore Oct. 29, 2010 is World Stroke Day, but this article can be use- ful to your readersat any time.
