A $1.8 million award will help research Kentucky’s stroke problem

UK HealthCare, the Kentucky Department for Public Health’s Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program, the University of Louisville, and other state partners have been awarded a prestigious, initial 3-year, $1.8-million Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Program Grant.

Over 2,000 Kentuckians die from stroke or stroke-related complications each year, which is among the highest rates in the country. Rates of stroke risk factors such as smoking, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, excessive alcohol use, and physical inactivity are high in Kentucky, particularly portions of the Commonwealth under significant socioeconomic stress. The state’s Appalachian counties are disproportionately affected — stroke mortality in the region is 14% higher than the national average and 8% higher than the rest of the state.

Although there are several existing stroke prevention and care programs in Kentucky, the Coverdell award will allow us to coordinate and expand these efforts. The program establishes the Kentucky Stroke Improvement Cooperative, bringing together a variety of groups and programs to provide leadership for improving the quality of stroke care in the Commonwealth.

The Coverdell Award will allow us to better bring information to the public and organize systems of care to better implement proven stroke prevention and treatment strategies. There are many strategies the public can use to reduce their individual risk — have a balanced diet that is low in salt and high in grains and vegetables such as a Mediterranean or a “DASH” diet; 30-minutes of at least moderate activity most days of the week; maintain a targeted body weight; do not smoke and avoid environmental tobacco smoke; moderate alcohol consumption; check your pulse for skipped beats and check your blood pressure several times a year. In the event of having stroke symptoms (BE-FAST) — abrupt loss of Balance or leg weakness, loss of Eyesight in one or portions of both eyes, drooping of one side of the Face, weakness of an Arm, or difficulty Speaking or understanding speech, Time is of the essence — call 911 to be taken to the nearest, appropriate certified Stroke Center or hospital if a certified Stroke Center is not available nearby.

The Coverdell Award will allow us to marshal and grow resources in the state to reduce Kentuckians’ risk of stroke and improve stroke-related outcomes.

Larry Goldstein is Principal Investigator of the Kentucky CDC Coverdell Program and Ruth L Works Professor and Chair of Neurology at the University of Kentucky.

This story was originally published July 9, 2021 at 10:18 AM.