May 1, 2017
COLUMBUS – The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center’s Comprehensive Stroke Center will offer free stroke risk assessments from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 in the lobby of the Brain and Spine Hospital, 300 W. 10th Ave.
Additional stroke risk screenings will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 16 at University East Hospital’s Café, 181 Taylor Ave.; and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the Medical Center’s annual Community Health Day event at CarePoint East, 543 Taylor Ave. For the first time, stroke risk screenings will be offered from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 3 outside the Farmer’s Market at the North Market, 59 Spruce St.
Media representatives are asked to call Medical Center Media Relations at 614-293-3737 to make arrangements to cover these events.
During the stroke screenings, participants will be assessed on the eight factors that increase the risk of a stroke -- high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, smoking, cholesterol, diabetes, exercise, diet and family history. No registration is necessary.
Strokes happen when blood flow to the brain stops. Within minutes, brain cells begin to die. There are two kinds of stroke. The more common kind, ischemic stroke, is caused by a blood clot that blocks or plugs a blood vessel in the brain. Hemorrhagic stroke is caused by a blood vessel that breaks and bleeds into the brain. "Mini-strokes," or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), occur when the blood supply to the brain is briefly interrupted.
Symptoms of stroke include:
• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg (especially on one side of the body).• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech.• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.• Sudden severe headache with no known cause.
Anyone with these symptoms should seek immediate medical help.
Ohio State’s Wexner Medical Center has been awarded the advanced certification for designation as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, offering a high level of care for patients with the most severe and challenging types of strokes and cerebrovascular disease. The Comprehensive Stroke Center is part of Ohio State’s Neurological Institute.
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