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Information on stroke available For more information about strokes, visit the Wellness Wednesday booth from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 29 in the Children’s Hospital lobby. Rosetta Swinton, MUSC Department of Internal Medicine, Stroke Belt Elimination Initiative, will be available to answer questions. Each year 700,000 people have a new or recurrent stroke. Stroke is not inevitable. Knowing your family health history and the risk factors for stroke is the first step to fighting back. Know the warning signs of a stroke and call 911 immediately if they occur. Stroke risk factors High blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, carotid artery disease, atrial fibrillation, sickle cell disease, obesity, physical inactivity, high blood cholesterol, TIA or mini-stroke, age, race, family history, and gender Know the warning signs of a stroke Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body. Sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding. Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes. Sudden severe headache with no known cause. If you experience any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately because every second counts.   South Carolina is known throughout the United States for many positive things, which include its beaches, historic mansions and plantations, rich political traditions, and great weather. On the other hand, there is something that South Carolina is a leader in that may be less known—stroke mortality.   South Carolina has led the nation in stroke mortality for the past 75 years. This is a staggering statistic that needs to change. Stroke impacts the whole family and to beat this health problem your help is needed.   Help apprehend this killer by getting the facts, making healthy lifestyle choices and denying stroke an open door into the home, family and life.   For more information on the following events, call 792-1875 or 763-2922 Weekend events Sept. 7-8 Stroke-Fore-Stroke Golf Tournament, 10 a.m., Sept. 7, Golf Course at Wescott—Summerville. Call 853-0914 or 412-8264 to register (due Aug. 27). Evening of Jazz with Ann Caldwell, 7 to 10 p.m., , Sept. 7, Sheraton North Charleston Hotel, 4770 Goer Drive, North Charleston Health Expo, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sept. 8, Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church Family Life Center, 7396 Rivers Ave., North Charleston. Editor's note: The preceding column was brought to you on behalf of Health 1st. Striving to bring various topics and representing numerous employee wellness organizations and committees on campus, this weekly column seeks to provide MUSC, MUHA and UMA employees with current and helpful information concerning all aspects of health.     Friday, Aug. 24, 2007 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.