Stroke warning signs important to realize
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Instead, they are attempting to do one of the next best things. With May designated as National Stroke Prevention Month, prevention advocates are using the time to their advantage – to teach.
The hospital will be conducting a stroke prevention and awareness seminar May 19 from noon to 1 p.m. featuring Dr. Daniel Lalonde. The unit will also have an open house following the seminar and the hospital will provide free risk assessments to the community at the Senior Center from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on May 20.
Additionally, the unit’s program director, Brenda Sanders, is planning to participate in a 26-mile marathon June 22 in Hawaii, hoping to raise $5,000 for the American Stroke Association.
Prevention advocates are asking members of the community to assess their risk this month. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of adult disability. Up to 80 percent of all strokes are preventable, hospital sources say.
A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted by a blood clot or a broken blood vessel. Lack of oxygen kills the brain cells in the immediate area, often causing physical and emotional disabilities, including speech problems, memory loss and paralysis.
Risk factors for stroke can be genetic, medical or the result of lifestyle, including being over age 55, being male or African American, having diabetes or having high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol, a personal history of stroke and atrial fibrillation.
Stroke warning signals include sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body, sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding, sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes, sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination or sudden, severe headache with no known cause.
To learn more about stroke prevention/awareness efforts, contact Sanders at 815-4888 or call 1-800-STROKES.
Stroke Prevention Month
• A stroke prevention and awareness seminar is scheduled at noon May 19 at River Park
• Risk assessments will be available from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. May 20 at the Senior Center