Saturday, October 29, is World Stroke Day and the 2011 theme is "One in Six: Act Now!" highlights the reality that one of every six people worldwide has a stroke. Stroke is the second-leading cause of death in the world behind heart disease for people over the age of 60, but can affect anyone, including newborns. In the United States, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds, and someone dies of one every three to four minutes.

The American Stroke Association has joined other international organizations to urge people globally to "Act Now" to reduce the threat of stroke.

Mark World Stroke Day by exploring ways you can Act Now! by using American Heart Association and American Stroke Association tools and resources to inform your family and friends:

• Learn your stroke risk
• Learn the warning signs of stroke and TIA 
• Track and control your No. 1 modifiable stroke risk factor, High Blood Pressure, by using one of the following calculators: Online tracker, Printable Tracker, or High Blood Pressure Risk Calculator
• Take your medicine
• Live a healthy lifestyle
• Make a new life resolution
• Join or start a stroke support group