| |
| |
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
|
WHEREAS, Health professionals, health advocates, stroke |
|
|
survivors, and others are observing American Stroke Month in May |
|
|
2009, and their efforts are drawing vital attention to this |
|
|
cardiovascular disease that affects nearly 800,000 Americans each |
|
|
year; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, According to the American Stroke Association, a |
|
|
division of the American Heart Association, stroke is the third |
|
|
leading cause of death in this country, a trend reflected |
|
|
statewide, according to the Texas Department of State Health |
|
|
Services; moreover, it is a leading cause of serious long-term |
|
|
disability; while new and effective treatments have been developed |
|
|
to minimize the severity of stroke, much more research is needed; |
|
|
and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Through its campaign, "Power to End Stroke," the ASA |
|
|
is specifically reaching out to African Americans, who not only |
|
|
have almost twice the risk of first-ever strokes compared to Anglos |
|
|
but also higher death rates for stroke; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Although risk factors for stroke such as age, |
|
|
heredity, race, gender, and a history of prior stroke cannot be |
|
|
changed, those resulting from lifestyle or environment can be; one |
|
|
of the most important controllable risk factors is high blood |
|
|
pressure, often called the "silent killer" because it has no |
|
|
symptoms; others that can be changed, treated, or controlled |
|
|
include smoking, diabetes, physical inactivity and obesity, |
|
|
carotid or other artery disease, atrial fibrillation, transient |
|
|
ischemic attacks, certain blood disorders, high blood cholesterol, |
|
|
excessive alcohol use, and illegal drug use; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Each minute a stroke goes untreated, the brain is at |
|
|
risk for damage, but disability or death caused by stroke can be |
|
|
prevented by recognizing and quickly responding to the following |
|
|
warning signs: sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, |
|
|
especially on one side of the body; sudden confusion or trouble |
|
|
speaking or understanding; sudden trouble seeing in one or both |
|
|
eyes; sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or |
|
|
coordination; and sudden, severe headache with no known cause; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, By obtaining knowledge, making positive lifestyle |
|
|
changes, and taking immediate action when necessary, individuals |
|
|
can minimize their own risk of being afflicted by this debilitating |
|
|
disease, and they can help their loved ones do the same; now, |
|
|
therefore, be it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
|
|
Legislature hereby recognize May 2009 as American Stroke Month and |
|
|
encourage all Texans to familiarize themselves with the warning |
|
|
signs, symptoms, and risk factors associated with stroke. |