UA Cossatot Promotes Stroke Awareness Month

May is Stroke Awareness month, and the UA Cossatot Employee Safety and Wellness committee is working with AR Saves and the UA Cossatot ERC to promote stroke awareness. The committee has received packets from AR Saves about stroke awareness and has provided that information on display in the ERC at the Nashville, Ashdown, and De Queen campuses. Tables were set up to display this information in the ERC so that students, faculty, staff, and visitors on campus could learn more about the fifth leading cause of death in the United States.
A stroke is an attack on the brain that occurs when something blocks the blood supply to part of the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. Strokes can cause lasting brain damage, long term disability, or even death. Someone in the United States has a stroke every 40 seconds, and every 4 minutes someone dies of a stroke. Approximately 795,000 people in the United States have a stroke each year, and about 140,000 Americans pass away each year due to a stroke. Leading causes of stroke include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, and diabetes.
A stroke can be damaging, but it is also preventable and treatable. To prevent, treat, or recognize a stroke it helps to be more aware and informed about this disease. This is why AR Saves (Arkansas Stroke Assistance through Virtual Emergency Support) was created. They have grown and partnered with several groups to present facts, information, and tools on how to improve stroke awareness. Arkansas ranks at number 7 nationwide for the most deaths due to a stroke, and AR Saves works on finding innovative solutions to this statewide problem.
The UA Cossatot Employee Safety and Wellness committee picked this health issue to spotlight and plans to promote stroke awareness during the month of May.
To learn more about stroke awareness, please come by the Nashville, Ashdown, or De Queen ERC at UA Cossatot and visit www.strokeawareness.com.