May is National Stroke Awareness Month

Did you know that stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and the No. 1 cause of adult disability? The good news is that 80 percent of strokes are preventable.

In recognition of National Stroke Awareness Month in May, Piedmont Fayette Hospital's Cardiology and Radiology Departments, in conjunction with Cardiologist Nimish Dhruva, M.D., Vascular Surgeon Eric Wellons, M.D., and Interventional Radiologist Scott Faith, M.D., are offering free stroke and vascular screenings on Saturday, May 19, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Screenings will take place in the Cardiology Department on the second floor of the West Entrance. Walk in screenings, administered by registered nurses and radiology technologists, will include glucose checks, blood pressure checks, risk factor assessments, and ankle/brachial indexes to screen for peripheral vascular disease. Ultrasound screenings for abdominal aneurysms and carotid disease will be offered, by appointment only. To register, please call 1-866-900-4321.

"Vascular disease is often preventable and treatable, and it only takes a few minutes to find out if you are at risk for stroke," said Eric Wellons, M.D., Atlanta Vascular Specialists. "Individuals can decrease their possibility for having a stroke by knowing their risk factors and how to manage them.”

The symptoms and warning signs occur suddenly for stroke: weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body; confusion, trouble speaking or understanding; trouble seeing in one or both eyes; trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination; and, severe headache with no known cause. If you or someone you know experiences one or more of these symptoms, immediately dial 911 and seek help.

Piedmont Fayette Hospital offers a range of state-of-the-art, comprehensive diagnostic and rehabilitative vascular services, including a 64 slice CT scanning, MRI, ultrasound, interventional radiology, endovascular and vascular surgery, cardiac catheterization, echocardiograms, electrocardiograms (EKG), stress testing, and cardiac rehabilitation.

The vascular care team at Piedmont Fayette Hospital includes interventional radiologist, vascular surgeon, cardiologists, nurses, technologists, therapists, nutritionists and other healthcare professionals.

For a physician referral, call 1-866-900-4321, or for more information about Piedmont Fayette Hospital’s vascular services, please visit www.fayettehospital.org.

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