[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 73 (Wednesday, May 25, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E952]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  2011 NATIONAL STROKE AWARENESS MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LOIS CAPPS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 25, 2011

  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition of May as National 
Stroke Awareness Month, the time each year that we as a nation reaffirm 
our support in the fight against stroke, a leading cause of death and 
disability.
  National Stroke Awareness Month plays an important role in educating 
Americans on the warning signs and risk factors for strokes, as well as 
how the latest neuroscience discoveries enhance our understanding of 
strokes and lead to new and exciting treatments.
  According to the American Stroke Association, a stroke occurs every 
40 seconds, affecting roughly 795,000 Americans each year--killing 
approximately 136,000 people a year, and costing the nation through 
healthcare services, medications, and missed days of work.
  As a co-chair of the Congressional Heart and Stroke Coalition, and 
through my experience as a nurse and health care advocate, I know 
firsthand the importance of educating the American people to recognize 
the warning signs of a stroke and be ready to act fast.
  Moreover, the most effective method to combat stroke is to prevent 
it, and that to do that, we need to place a greater focus on educating 
the American people on the risk factors associated with an increased 
risk of stroke: high blood pressure, atrial fibrilliation, diabetes, 
heightened cholesterol, lack of exercise, and smoking.
  Family history of stroke, gender, and place of residence are also 
factors.
  While strokes are one of the major reasons that quality of life can 
diminish as people get older, they are not inevitable.
  The same steps that contribute to keeping physical vigor--regular 
exercise, a healthy weight, and a balanced diet--can maximize the 
chances of staying sharp and alert for decades to come.
  Mr. Speaker, based on basic science findings, neuroscientists have 
developed several options for treating stroke, including clot-busting 
drugs and minimally invasive surgery techniques.
  Yet despite numerous advances, the global and national prognosis for 
stroke is dire.
  According to a study by the American Heart Association and the 
American Stroke Association published earlier this year, stroke 
prevalence is projected to increase by 25 percent in the U.S. by 2030, 
and direct medical costs for treating stroke are expected to increase 
by 238 percent, to $95.6 billion within the same time period.
  This makes continued strong and sustainable funding for the National 
Institutes of Health even more critical.
  By supporting the National Institutes of Health, researchers will be 
able to discover better ways to protect the brain from potential 
strokes, minimize the damage that occurs, and develop better ways to 
repair and reorganize the brain after a stroke.
  For all of these reasons, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
recognizing National Stroke Awareness Month, celebrating the 
outstanding contributions the field of neuroscience is making to learn 
more about stroke; the contributions of the American Stroke Association 
in educating the public about stroke warning signs and treatment; and 
the investments made in scientific research through the National 
Institutes of Health to develop treatments for those suffering from 
this devastating disease.

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