May is Stroke Awareness Month: What you should know

Individuals with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) have been shown to have a high prevalence for stroke. Atherosclerosis in the arteries can speed the clotting process that can lead to stroke. The two diseases also share a common risk factor: High Blood Pressure. For these two reasons, we urge you to take advantage of Stroke Awareness Month—take time to learn more about stroke and stroke prevention, call 1-800-STROKES or visit www.strokeassociation.org or www.stroke.org.

According to the National Stroke Association:

• Every 53 seconds, someone in the United States experiences a stroke.
• Stroke is the third leading cause of death in this country.
• One-third of strokes occur in women under the age of 65.

A stroke, or "brain attack," occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted by a blood clot or when a blood vessel bursts. This lack of oxygen kills brain cells in the immediate area, often causing physical and emotional disabilities including speech problems, memory loss and paralysis.

High blood pressure is one of the key risk factors for stroke because it puts unnecessary stress on blood vessel walls. Some other risk factors include age, smoking, diabetes, PAD, heart disease or family history of heart disease or stroke, a TIA (mini-stroke), high cholesterol or atrial fibrillation (irregular heart rhythm).

For more information about stroke resources, visit our web site (www.vdf.org).