Stroke Of Genius: Tech World Leaders Rally To Prevent Strokes

PALO ALTO, Calif., March 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Five years after a devastating stroke, former Intel executive Sean Maloney is setting out on a cycling quest to help reduce the chances of stroke in others. On March 22, 2015, he will launch Heart Across America™, the inaugural bike ride to raise awareness that 80% of strokes are preventable. This three-month, 5,000 mile ride beginning in Palo Alto and culminating in New York City on June 15, will raise money for the American Heart Association to fund life-saving stroke research, spread the word on the risk factors of stroke and how to spot a stroke F.A.S.T., and most importantly, educate the public that strokes can be prevented by getting a simple, non-invasive carotid artery ultrasound. Sean has enlisted some of America's brightest entrepreneurs and captains of industry to join him: Michael Dell (Dell), John Donahoe (Ebay), Jeffrey Katzenberg (DreamWorks), Tom Lacey (Tessera), Stacy Smith (Intel), Anne Wojcicki (23andMe), Marty Cooper (cellphone inventor), Paul Jacobs (Qualcomm), Mike Splinter (Applied Materials), Pat Gelsinger (VMware) and others as supporters and in many cases, riders, to help ignite the conversation to make stroke prevention a national priority.

Every year, 795,000 Americans suffer a stroke -- many become disabled, paralyzed or even die. Strokes account for a whopping $73.7 billion in annual healthcare spending -- yet the vast majority of strokes can be prevented.

Prior to his stroke, Sean spent nearly three decades at Intel and was first in line to be its next CEO.  Most people in high tech saw him as invincible: He led an active, healthy lifestyle, ate carefully, exercised regularly and got a yearly medical check-up. He did everything he thought he was supposed to do. When a blocked artery led to a stroke in 2010 that wiped out virtually all of his abilities – to write, speak (aphasia), and move the right side of his body – he learned that there was one important medical test that he should have taken: He didn't have a carotid artery ultrasound and therefore didn't know he had a blocked artery, a silent ticking time bomb waiting to go off.

Carotid ultrasound is a safe, painless procedure that uses sound waves to test if the carotid artery in the neck is blocked or narrowed– which can indicate an increased risk of stroke. Early detection of narrowed carotid arteries helps prevent a stroke by enabling a doctor to begin treatments to improve blood flow to the brain and is recommended for adults fifty-plus.   

Sean feels strongly that if he had been given the test, he could have prevented his stroke. "Know the risk factors, get yourself checked out," Sean says. "Every situation is different, but in my case it's pretty clear that if I had a carotid artery ultrasound done a few months before my stroke, it would have been preventable."

Five years of unrelenting motivation and grueling work has helped Sean fully recover his motor skills, regain a lot of his speech and ability to return to work as an executive. Even more remarkable than his own dramatic recovery is his personal commitment to save others from the trauma of stroke, which takes nearly 128,000 lives every year. At all of Sean's Heart Across America events, there will be free Carotid IMT ultrasound screenings. There will also be qualified doctors on hand to review test results and give tips on stroke and heart attack prevention and nutrition. 

Next to recovering from his stroke, establishing Heart Across America campaign, which includes the challenging three month-long bike ride across America, as well as the galvanization of the public through events, motivational speaking and media appearances, will be the second hardest thing that Sean has ever had to do. But, he believes, "If it saves one family from going through the trauma of stroke, it will be worth every mile, so #letsride."

According to Michael Dell, who will be among those joining Sean on the ride, "All of us at Dell are thrilled to see Sean's recovery and inspired by his commitment," said Michael Dell, chairman and CEO. "We are proud supporters of Heart Across America. Most strokes are preventable, and together, we can save thousands of lives through increased testing and awareness."

In addition to Sean and his high-profile tech colleagues, other notable riders will include heart disease and stroke survivors through local affiliates, local bicycling clubs, avid cyclists, medical professionals, health and wellness professionals and the general public. Additionally, the public can also take action by donating time or money, or even just sharing Sean's story, learning about stroke and urging their friends and family to do the same. For more information visit: http://www.heartacrossamerica.org.

An up-to-date schedule of ride events can be found at http://bit.ly/rideevents. For anyone interested in cycling with Sean at any point along his journey, visit http://bit.ly/ridewithsean. Visit http://bit.ly/strokeinfo for more information on the risk factors of stroke or http://bit.ly/spotstroke for tips on how to spot a stroke.

Video - http://origin-qps.onstreammedia.com/origin/multivu_archive/PRNA/ENR/183235-Sean-Maloney-HAA.mp4

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/stroke-of-genius-tech-world-leaders-rally-to-prevent-strokes-300053252.html

SOURCE Heart Across America

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