Prevention and Early Detection of Stroke April 27, 2007 CVMC Offers Program on Prevention and Early Detection of Stroke Thursday, May 3

Stroke statistics for our county, state and region are sobering. North Carolina, considered part of the stroke belt along with South Carolina, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Georgia, has the fourth highest stroke rate in the nation. As the third leading cause of death in North Carolina, strokes account for 5,259 deaths or approximately 7% of the state’s deaths in 2002 (National Vital Statistics Report 2004). In addition, stroke is the leading cause of disability in the state. And unfortunately, stroke death rates (67.8) are higher in Catawba County than the state average of 62.8 per 100,000 population. The Catawba County minority population has a higher death rate for strokes than Caucasians. Because May is recognized nationally as Stroke Awareness Month, Catawba Valley Medical Center (CVMC) is offering a program called “Don’t Have A Stroke: Prevention and Early Detection” on Thursday, May 3, 2007 at 12 noon in the Northwest AHEC building (adjacent to CVMC) in room 112. This lunch-and-learn presentation will discuss the symptoms, risk factors and ways to decrease one’s risk of having a stroke. At this session, attendees will learn to modify a number of health issues including tobacco use, poor nutrition (a diet high in fat and low in fruit and vegetables), inactivity; obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure to decrease the risk of stroke. Modifying risk factors and the recognizing the symptoms of stroke are important to prevent death and disability. Registration is requested by calling 828-485-2300; cost is $7.00 with meal; free without meal. Catawba Valley Medical Center is a not-for-profit, public healthcare system in Hickory, NC providing and promoting the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being of the public in addition to serving as a center for health education, wellness services, preventative medicine and acute care. CVMC, recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Magnet facility, was recently named a Hospital of Choice by the American Alliance of Healthcare Providers.