[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 72 (Thursday, May 26, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1133]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RECOGNIZING AMERICAN STROKE MONTH

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                        HON. ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 26, 2005

  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I request that you join me today in 
recognizing May as American Stroke Month.
  In doing so, we are presented with an opportunity to educate one 
another about the shattering effects of stroke that leave no American 
community unscathed.
  Stroke, the third leading cause of death in our nation, is caused by 
an interruption of blood flow to the brain from a blood clot or 
ruptured blood vessel. Every 45 seconds someone in America suffers a 
stroke, and every 3 minutes someone dies from one. Over 700,000 
Americans of all ages, ethnicities, and gender suffer new or recurring 
strokes each year, taking the lives of more than 160,000 people.
  For those who survive an attack, the consequences of a stroke can be 
emotionally and physically devastating, often leaving victims with 
speech problems, impaired thinking, and paralysis. Over half of all 
stroke survivors must live with a disability. With 4.8 million stroke 
survivors, stroke is the leading cause of serious, long-term disability 
in the United States.
  Many of us possess an image of stroke as a catastrophic, 
uncontrollable event that can be neither prevented nor treated. 
However, given adequate resources and education, nearly 80 percent of 
all strokes can be prevented, and many others can be effectively 
treated.
  High blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, smoking, a lack of 
physical activity and obesity have all been linked to increased 
susceptibility to stroke. Diabetes increases the risk of stroke by a 
factor of three. By controlling our medical risks with a healthy 
lifestyle and regular medical care, particularly among African 
Americans who are hardest hit by cardiovascular disease and diabetes, 
we can significantly decrease our chances of suffering a stroke.
  Surviving a stroke with little or no disability is possible. 
Understanding the symptoms of a stroke, and taking immediate emergency 
action by calling 9-1-1, is crucial to a chance for full recovery. 
Rapid administration of clot-dissolving drugs, if delivered within the 
first 3 hours of the onset of stroke symptoms, can greatly improve a 
patient's chances for recovery.
  Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, a majority of Americans are not aware of 
their risk for a stroke, nor are they aware of the signs and symptoms 
of an impending stroke. Hospitals and emergency medical services are 
not organized to maximize the benefits of available treatments. The 
average time between the onset of symptoms and medical treatment is far 
too long, averaging an astounding 13 hours. Fewer than 5 percent of 
stroke patients receive potentially lifesaving clot-dissolving 
medication. Many stroke patients do not receive preventive care, such 
as cholesterol screening and smoking cessation counseling, before 
leaving the hospital.
  What can we do to help? We can start by encouraging our family, 
friends and fellow citizens to simply ask their doctors, ``Am I at risk 
for a stroke?'' and ``What do I do if I have a stroke?'' Education is 
power, and it can preserve crucial moments that mean the difference 
between death or a life of disability, and a healthy future.
  We can also support legislation like the STOP Stroke Act, H.R. 898, a 
bill sponsored by my good friends Representatives Lois Capps and 
Charles Pickering of which I am proud to be a cosponsor. This bill 
would authorize initiatives to help patients with symptoms of stroke 
receive timely and thorough care, and would establish campaigns to 
raise public awareness of stroke prevention and treatment. I urge my 
colleagues to cosponsor this critical legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, improving systems of stroke care and increasing 
awareness and education of stroke treatment and prevention will help 
ensure that all stroke patients have access to the best available, 
timely treatment. On behalf of the millions of Americans currently at 
risk or living with the consequences of stroke, I urge us to do 
everything in our power to help save lives and educate the public about 
this devastating disease.

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