Dottie Persinger
502-564-2611

Brian Kolonick, NSA National Communications, 303-754-0918
Julie Gordon Riley, Director of Communications, University of Louisville Health Care, 502-562-4025

National Stroke Association returns for second year of “Ask Your Doctor” Campaign

Frankfort, KY:  Stroke is the leading cause of disability and the third leading cause of death in the US and Kentucky.
 
National Stroke Association (NSA) returns to the Southeast this year to continue the “Ask Your Doctor” education campaign and encourage patients to ask their doctors “How do I lower my stroke risk?”  We’ve added a new Stroke Risk Scorecard to our menu of patient education materials. Designed to provide a quick and easy assessment of stroke risk factors for physicians and their patients, the Stroke Risk Scorecard can be ordered free of charge from NSA.      

National Stroke Association, in conjunction with First Lady Glenna Fletcher, UofL Health Care, and Kentucky Dept. for Health’s Heart Disease & Stroke Program will host a news conference to unveil the “Stroke Risk Scorecard” in Kentucky.

When:  Thursday, March 17 at 11:30am

Where:  State Capitol Rotunda

Who:   Kentucky’s First Lady, Glenna Fletcher

Dr. Spiro Polyhronopoulos, Springview Hospital;  Kentucky’s “Ask Your Doctor” Chairperson
      
Dr. Kerri Remmel, Assistant Professor of Neurology; Director, University of Louisville Stroke Center; Kentucky’s “Ask Your Doctor” Stroke Expert
                       
Kentucky Stroke Survivor Joann Ross

Brian Kolonick, National Stroke Association

“Strokes kill or cripple thousands of Kentuckians each year; very often with no warning.  Stroke is devastating not only to its victims, but to their families,” says Dr. Kerri Remmel, Associate Prof. of Neurology, University of Louisville and Kentucky’s Stroke Expert. Dr. Remmel adds, “Not enough people realize that there is a lot they can do to prevent a stroke.   That is why I strongly support the NSA's ‘Ask Your Doctor Program’.  Through it, we are raising public awareness about stroke prevention, and providing tools, like the new Stroke Risk Scorecard, for healthcare providers to use as they educate their individual patients about personal stroke risks, and how to lower them.”

NSA recently conducted a doctor/patient poll to find out where people seek the latest information on stroke. Here are a few results:

• Eighty-seven percent of people say they see their primary care doctors regularly, but only 30 percent say stroke is discussed.
• One in five adults claim they have no idea how to reduce their risk of stroke.
• One in five health care providers do not treat stroke as an emergency.

That is why the NSA is unveiling the Stroke Risk Scorecard this year.  We want people to take this scorecard into their doctor’s offices and ask HOW DO I LOWER MY RISK FOR STROKE?  It provides a quick and easy assessment of stroke risk factors for physicians and their patients.  Healthcare providers can order Stroke Risk Scorecards from NSA free of charge.  

National Stroke Association is a leading national non-profit organization devoting its efforts and resources to stroke — including prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and support for stroke survivors and their families.  Contact the NSA at 1-800-STROKES or visit www.stroke.org.

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