New York Hospital Queens and Assemblywoman Grace Meng Help Spread Awareness About Stroke Risks

Friday, May 15, 2009

For Immediate Release
Contact Scott Sieber, 718-670-1579

Flushing, NY, May 15, 2009 – Assemblywoman Grace Meng visited New York Hospital Queens yesterday to show the Queens community the importance of stroke risk screenings during Stroke Awareness Month.

New York Hospital Queens, a state-designated center for stroke treatment, yesterday provided 94 people with free stroke risk assessments as part of a continuing commitment to community education and disease prevention. New York Hospital Queens offers the following advice for spotting signs of stroke:

• 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
• Sudden, severe headache with no known condition

People are urged to call 911 immediately if they experience these symptoms.

New York Hospital Queens is a member of the NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System and an affiliate of the Weill Medical College of Cornell University.

Pictured, Assemblywoman Grace Meng (l.) is assessed for stroke risk by Shari Ferrari-Volonino, RN, New York Hospital Queens HealthOutreach Program.