[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 80 (Friday, May 22, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E790]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         STROKE AWARENESS MONTH

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                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 22, 2015

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, as co-chair of the Congressional 
Neuroscience Caucus, I rise today to recognize the month of May as 
Stroke Awareness Month.
  Stroke, an attack in which blood flow and oxygen to the brain are 
blocked, is the leading cause of long-term disability in the United 
States. Each year, more than 795,000 Americans suffer from stroke, and 
in my own home state of Oregon those numbers are above the national 
average. The health care expenses, including associated medications and 
missed days of work, cost the United States an estimated $34 billion 
each year.
  The human costs, however, are more devastating. In the United States 
alone, an annual average of 130,000 of those who have had a stroke die. 
Even those who survive often experience a significant decrease in their 
quality of life. Over two-thirds of survivors must live with sometimes 
overwhelming long-term consequences, such as paralysis, motor activity, 
speech, and the ability to understand speech. Many of those survivors 
and their families also face financial repercussions. Some must even 
deplete their savings and sell their assets just to cover the costs 
associated with post-stroke care.
  As part of Stroke Awareness Month, we must ensure our constituents 
understand that stroke is treatable and preventable, as long as 
citizens arm themselves with the proper diagnostic tools and health 
information. Common stroke symptoms include: crushing chest pain; 
sudden weakness of the face, arm, or leg; sudden confusion; trouble 
speaking or understanding speech; sudden trouble walking or seeing; 
loss of balance; and sudden, severe headache. The ability to recognize 
these symptoms and seek medical attention immediately is critical to 
surviving a stroke and minimizing long-term disability.
  Stroke affects people of all ages, but several underlying factors 
that put individuals at higher risk include unhealthy diets, tobacco 
use, and physical inactivity. Understanding the risks involved with 
certain lifestyle choices and making healthier choices can often help 
reduce a person's risk of stroke.
  The federal government needs to be a better partner with stroke 
survivors, and it is the aim of our Congressional Neuroscience Caucus 
to do just that. We must find ways to increase the effectiveness of the 
federal investment in developing new treatments. In addition, we have 
an obligation to work with survivors and their families to make the 
path to recovery less arduous. Options we should consider include 
improving access to post-stroke therapy and finding ways to reduce the 
financial impact on survivors and their families. One important first 
step is recognize May as Stroke Awareness month in order to continue to 
educate Americans about stroke symptoms, prevention, and treatments.

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