Senate Resolution 82 Summary

• Designates May 2014 as "Stroke Awareness Month" in the State of Oklahoma to recognize the importance of stroke awareness and education.

• Notes that stroke is the fourth leading cause of death nationally, killing approximately 130,000 people, and was the fifth leading cause of death in Oklahoma in 2012 with 1,881 deaths.

• Identifies that nearly 78 million Americans have high blood pressure, a major controllable risk factor for stroke, with 44 percent of African American adults affected.

• Urges Oklahoma citizens to familiarize themselves with stroke risk factors, recognize warning signs (including F.A.S.T. symptoms: face dropping, arm weakness, speech difficulty, and time to call 911), and call 911 immediately at the first sign of stroke.

• Directs distribution of the resolution to Naomi Amaha, Oklahoma Government Relations Director for the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.