[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 173 (Monday, November 14, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2034]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     COMMEMORATING WORLD STROKE DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. VIRGINIA FOXX

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 14, 2011

  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate World Stroke Day 
and to help increase awareness of stroke, stroke prevention and the 
challenges faced by stroke survivors and their families. Although I was 
unable to mark this day when it occurred last month, it is an important 
cause that is worth recognizing.
  A stroke is a brain attack. It occurs when a blood clot blocks an 
artery, or a blood vessel breaks, interrupting blood flow to an area of 
the brain. While most strokes occur in older adults, it's a myth that 
strokes only occur in this population--anyone can have a stroke. Risk 
factors include high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, smoking, high 
cholesterol, diabetes, lack of regular exercise and poor diet. Family 
history of stroke is also a risk factor.
  The state of North Carolina is part of the ``Stroke Belt'' where 
death rates due to stroke are consistently more than 10 percent higher 
than in other parts of the country. The higher mortality rate may be 
linked to a higher than average population of African Americans and 
elderly residents, who are more likely to have a stroke than other 
ethnicities and age groups, as well as dietary factors.
  In the United States, about 795,000 people will have a stroke this 
year, averaging one every 40 seconds. While stroke kills 137,000 people 
and is the fourth leading cause of death, there are seven million adult 
stroke survivors in the United States. Stroke is also a leading cause 
of serious, long-term disability. Although between 50 and 70 percent of 
stroke survivors regain functional independence, many survivors require 
the support of a caregiver or have difficulties returning to work.
  The estimated direct and indirect cost of stroke was $73.7 billion in 
2010. While these statistics by themselves are startling, the impact of 
stroke goes beyond my district/State or even our Nation. Stroke is a 
global health crisis that kills one person worldwide every six 
seconds--that's six million people annually. If nothing is done, the 
predicted number of people who will die from stroke will increase to 
almost seven million each year by 2015.
  The goal of World Stroke Day is to bring attention to the risk 
factors and warning signs of stroke as well as to honor those living 
with the impacts of stroke around the world. I urge my colleagues and 
constituents to know their stroke risk and learn the warning signs. 
Stand with me today in support of the seven million stroke survivors, 
their caregivers and families and the rest of the stroke community 
around the globe to do our part to reduce the impact of stroke in the 
future.

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