Free Community Stroke Screening May 19 in Honor of Stroke Awareness Month

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

WHAT: May is National Stroke Awareness Month. Please encourage members of the community to attend a free screening for stroke risk factors. Participants will receive educational information about the risks and warning signs of stroke. Space is limited. Participants must pre-register for this screening by calling: (800) 282-6684.

WHEN:  Monday, May 19th: 11:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

WHERE: New York Hospital Queens
                 56-45 Main Street, Flushing, NY 11355

WHO: Queens residents – age 18 and over

BACKGROUND: Stroke affects people of all ages and races. Those most at risk are African Americans, and all people with high blood pressure. About 46,000 more women suffer a stroke than men each year. Those that seek early treatment based on their symptoms have the best chance of avoiding being one of the 160,000 people killed yearly by a stroke, or one of the 15 to 30 percent of stroke survivors that are permanently disabled.*

Stroke Statistics for New York State*:

• Stroke alone is the third leading cause of death
• Stroke is a leading cause of serious long–term disability
• On average, someone has a stroke every 45 seconds
• On average, someone dies from stroke every three to four minutes

Stroke experts are available to discuss risk factors, warning signs and prevention.        
New York Hospital Queens is a member of the NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System and an affiliate of the Weill Medical College of Cornell University.