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TARBORO, N.C. – To elevate stroke awareness, Heritage Hospital in partnership with the Edgecombe County Health Department’s diabetes program, is providing free blood pressure checks on Friday, May 22 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. in the Heritage Hospital lobby. Residents from Tarboro and surrounding communities are invited to receive free blood pressure checks and learn more about stroke signs, symptoms and prevention.
“Edgecombe County has the highest stroke mortality rate in the country,” said Linda Williams-Brown, rehabilitation therapy manager at Heritage Hospital and member of the Eastern North Carolina Stroke Network. “Nearly 40 percent of the strokes suffered each year could be prevented. Our goal is to educate the community about the disease, and help residents better understand the relationship between high blood pressure and stroke.”
The free blood pressure checks will monitor for high blood pressure, a risk factor associated with stroke. The hospital will also provide information on stroke signs and symptoms, diabetes, cholesterol and healthy eating. The effort is designed to help residents reduce their risk of stroke and better recognize the early warning signs of the disease.
Stroke is the third most common cause of death in the United States, and diabetes greatly increases the risk of stroke. Stroke is brain injury caused when a blood vessel to the brain becomes blocked or bursts, cutting off blood flow. If someone is suffering from a stroke, it is important to seek immediate medical attention. Survival and recovery are greatly improved if the signs and symptoms are recognized quickly.
Registration for the event is not required. For more information on the event, please call 252-641-7790. For more information on Heritage Hospital, please visit http://www.uhseast.com.
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http://www.prlog.org/
