Cardiac Kids, Stroke Survivors Gather on World Stroke Day
Cardiac Kids and Peter Connolly. Peter Connolly, far right, general manager of The Mercedes-Benz Center at Keeler Motor Car Company, and his colleagues hosted a Trunk or Treat for the Cardiac Kids 518 group of the American Heart Association on Sunday, Oct. 29, at the dealership in Latham. Photo provided.
ALBANY — The statistics are staggering: one in 120 children is born with a congenital heart defect. Stroke is the No. 5 killer of all Americans.
On World Stroke Day 2023, Capital Region children born with heart defects and two stroke survivors gathered to celebrate the progress the American Heart Association makes in fighting these two conditions.
About 100 people joined the celebration on Oct. 20, including 13 children born with congenital heart defects.
Alexandra Paul, M.D., neurosurgeon at Albany Medical Center, a member of the Albany Med Health System, joined the group.
“The research from the American Stroke Association and American Heart Association is helping to change the statistic that stroke is the leading cause of disability in our nation,” Dr. Paul said. “It’s important to raise awareness, especially about some of the populations that stroke affects. Women under the age of 35, for instance, are 44 % more likely to have a stroke than men of the same age, and Black people have a much higher incidence of stroke than white people. When we can raise awareness about the signs and symptoms, we can help people recognize a stroke and realize the importance of seeking immediate care.”
The American Heart Association passed the Pulse Ox Law in 2012, requiring that all newborns have their blood oxygen level measured before leaving the hospital. Lack of oxygen could indicate a critical heart defect. The Association urges everyone to know the signs of stroke: FAST – Face Drooping, Arm Weakness, Slurred Speech and Time to Call 911. Many professionals add “Be” to the FAST acronym, to include balance and eyes, or vision.
For information about stroke, visit stroke.org. For information about the Cardiac Kids 518 group, contact Kim.Sheedy@heart.org.