In celebration of National Stroke Awareness, Middle Tennessee Medical Center and the MTSU baseball team are celebrating ‘Strike Out Stroke’ during the Blue Raider’s April 24 home game against University of Arkansas Little Rock.
“Stroke strikes fast, and it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms,” said Sylvia McLaughlin, MTMC Stroke Program coordinator. “What better way to educate our community on stroke, than while watching the Blue Raiders strike out the Trojans.”
Local stroke survivors, friends, family and supporters are invited to cheer on the Blue Raiders and honor those affected by stroke. The game begins at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 24 at the Reese Smith Jr. Field at MTSU. MTMC is offering free tickets for local stroke survivors and will also recognize survivors during the game. Stroke survivors can request their free tickets by calling 396-4959.
MTMC has been a Joint Commission Certified Primary Stroke Center since 2007. The Stroke Program at MTMC was recognized in the July 2009 US News & World Report after receiving the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines- Stroke Gold Achievement Award. Both of these distinctions recognizes MTMC’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of stroke care by ensuring that stroke patients receive treatment according to nationally accepted standards and recommendations.
Stroke is a type of cardiovascular disease that affects the arteries leading to the brain. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, the parts of the brain that are deprived of oxygen can become permanently damaged. In the United States, stroke is the third leading cause of death, killing about 137,000 people each year, and a leading cause of serious, long-term adult disability. The estimated direct and indirect cost of stroke for 2010 is $73.7 billion.
Know the 5 common signs of a stroke:
1. Numbness or weakness on one side of the body
2. Difficulty speaking or understanding speech
3. Blurry or double vision
4. Sudden severe headache, the worst you've ever had
5. Dizziness and difficulty with balance
Know your responsibility in stroke prevention and treatment. Call 911 if you are experiencing stroke symptoms and get to the nearest stroke center. |
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