State mobilizes for stroke awareness May 12

An unprecedented statewide effort that will include UW Hospital, aims to improve public understanding of the symptoms of stroke, the third-leading cause of death in the nation.

The Wisconsin Stroke Alert on Wednesday, May 12, will engage hundreds of hospitals, clinics, educational institutions and businesses all over Wisconsin in an intensive, one-day effort to convey two simple messages:

• how to recognize a stroke and
• the vital importance of calling 911 immediately when those symptoms appear.

Emphasizing the urgency of acting when symptoms appear, the campaign’s theme is “Don’t Stall — Make the Call.”

The idea for the Wisconsin Stroke Alert began with George Newman, professor of neurology and a nationally recognized stroke expert. He and his stroke team have been dismayed at the number of people who could have been successfully treated if only they, or someone with them, had recognized a stroke in progress and immediately called 911. Experts around the state share that view.

“Most strokes result from the blockage of a blood vessel in the brain,” says Newman. “For many stroke patients, this condition can be successfully treated — but only if they arrive at a hospital in time for treatment to be given. The time window is very small, and most people don’t know the symptoms of stroke — so they wait. And then it’s too late to save them from brain damage.”

In Madison, a coalition of all four hospitals, businesses and non-profit organizations will participate. Members of the UW Hospital stroke team will give presentations around the city. A list of activities around the state is available on the Stroke Alert campaign Web site, http://www.strokealert.org. Many organizations will continue stroke-awareness efforts throughout May, which is nationally designated as Stroke Awareness Month.

The Wisconsin Legislature has proclaimed May 12 as the day of the Wisconsin Stroke Alert. Organizations that want to join the effort are encouraged to check http://www.strokealert.org for ways to participate and for access to free, downloadable Wisconsin Stroke Alert artwork.

Signs and symptoms of stroke

• Sudden confusion
• Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg (especially on one side of the body)
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble speaking or understanding speech
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden severe and unusual headache