The mission of the Minnesota Stroke Association is to reduce the incidence of stroke and to restore hope in people coping with its sudden and long-lasting impact.

The Minnesota Stroke Association is the state's leading resource for stroke information, stroke prevention, and public awareness programs and programs to help maximize recovery from stroke.

Contact Information
Minnesota Stroke Association
8421 Wayzata Blvd Suite 240
Minneapolis, MN 55426

About Stroke
Stroke is a "brain attack."  It occurs when vital supplies of blood and oxygen have been "cut off" to the brain. The brain controls everything we do - from speaking to walking to breathing. Brain attacks can occur when an artery or blood vessel becomes blocked or ruptures.

Facts and Figures

• Every year 750,000 Americans suffer a stroke.
• Stroke is the leading cause of disability in the U.S.
• Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the U.S.
• Only two percent of the population fears having a stroke even though four out of five families during a lifetime will be touched by stroke.
• More than 50 percent of women in America don't know that stroke kills twice as many women as breast cancer. 
• Half of all women will die from stroke or heart disease.
• One of out five adults say they have no idea how to reduce stroke risk; 15 percent don't recognize any stroke symptoms.
• Less than 50 percent of the population can recognize one stroke symptom. 
• More than 75 percent of Americans see their doctors regularly, yet patients report that only one-third of them discuss stroke with their doctors.

Symptoms

• Sudden numbness, weakness, or paralysis in the face, arm, leg - especially if it is on one side of the body.
• Sudden double vision or loss of vision. 
• Sudden difficulty with coordination, including hands or legs; loss of balance or dizziness. 
• Sudden inability to speak, understand words, or comprehend spoken words. 
• Sudden severe headache - the worst headache of your life.

Resources for Individuals and Caretakers
Minnesota Chapter, National Stroke Association offers a wide variety of resources for persons with Stroke and their caretakers. Those resources include: 

Employee/Individuals Resources

• Educational materials such as books and videos are available for purchase or loan. Topics include: Caring for stroke survivors, stroke recovery, treatment, hypertension, survivor stories, and aphasia.
• Free Strokeline: (800) 647-4123 Callers can connect directly with the Minnesota Chapter of the National Stroke Association to receive information on the phone, by mail, or email. Free information is available on stroke prevention, stroke recovery, classes, and support groups.
• Stroke risk assessments: By answering a short series of questions, people can learn what their risk of stroke may be and what they can do to reduce your risk. Several types of assessments are available to individuals or groups - many are free of charge.
• Support groups
• Classes for survivors with Aphasia: Strive to Thrive Communication Skills and Strategies.  Weekly programs are held in the community to help people with aphasia improve communication skills after stroke. Participants work in small groups and one on one with trained volunteer or graduate students in speech language pathology. 
• Research involvement: MSA is not directly involved in clinical stroke research at this time. However, MSA maintains a list of ongoing research studies in Minnesota and can share contact information for potential participants.
• Annual Stroke Survivor and Caregiver Workshop: This half day program provides an uplifting day filled with speakers, resources, and rehabilitation updates. Survivors, family members, and health professionals are welcome to attend. Cost is $20, which includes materials, break refreshments, and lunch.

Caregiver Resources

• Educational materials such as books and videos are available for purchase or loan. Topics include: Caring for stroke survivors, stroke recovery, treatment, hypertension, survivor stories, and aphasia.
• Annual Stroke Survivor and Caregiver Workshop: This half day program provides an uplifting day filled with speakers, resources, and rehabilitation updates. Survivors, family members, and health professionals are welcome to attend. Cost is $20, which includes materials, break refreshments, and lunch. 
• Caregiver education: Specialized programs for caregivers to learn more about caring for a loved one with stroke, addressing common medical and behavioral issues, and accessing therapeutic services. 
• Free Strokeline: (800) 647-4123- Callers can connect directly with the MSA chapter to receive information on the phone, by mail, or email. Free information is available on stroke prevention, stroke recovery, classes, and support groups.

Resources for Employers and Communities
Minnesota Chapter, National Stroke Association offers the following resources for employers and the community at large:

Employer Resources

• Presentations:
  o Stroke prevention: "You can strike out stroke- if you know the signs!"
  o Stroke Prevention and Recovery: "But you don't look like you've had a stroke"
• Education opportunities:
  o Stroke Basics: a one-hour program intended for health professionals, volunteers, and others who are interested in learning more about the detection, treatment, and management of stroke. Certificates of attendance are awarded for nurses attending the program. 
• Health fair participation: trained volunteers will bring a table top display with stroke information, answer questions, and hand out written information including refrigerator magnets with stroke symptoms.
• Risk assessments: Individualized computerized stroke risk assessments (takes 15 minutes/person with printed results with recommendations and information to take to your doctor).
• Stroke screening program: Several options are available to provide individualized counseling for stroke risk factors. Screenings can be simple or sophisticated depending on your needs, interest, time constraints, and budget. The ideal program would include:
  o Health professional or stroke survivor presentation on stroke.
  o Check blood pressures.
  o Participants provide health information on stroke risk assessment surveys (either paper and pencil or computerized).
  o Optional cholesterol, carotid artery, and EKG screenings.
  o  Individualized counseling with participants to help develop a plan to reduce risk of stroke.

Community Resources

• Presentations:
  o Stroke prevention: "You can strike out stroke- if you know the signs!"
  o Stroke Prevention and Recovery: "But you don't look like you've had a stroke"
• Risk assessments:
  o Individualized computerized stroke risk assessments (takes 15 minutes/person with printed results with recommendations and information to take to your doctor).
  o Paper and pencil stroke risk assessments: Geared to people over 55. Takes five minutes. Results and recommendations are confidential and mailed directly to your home. 
• Community education program: Strike Out Stroke. Limited quantities of free resources are available for individuals, senior centers, public health or parish nurses, and community volunteers to help MSA reach those who are at high risk for stroke. Resources include speakers, videos, brochures, table tents, and posters.