Sadly, the face of someone having a stroke is more likely to be that of an African American. The good news is that more and more people in this community are beginning to realize it. That’s because , an ever increasing number of Blacks are being treated for High Blood Pressure. The fact is African Americans have a much higher risk of death from a stroke than Caucasians, partly due to higher rates of High Blood Pressure in this group.
FACE THE FACTS ABOUT HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE:
African-Americans:
- Have one of the highest rates of High Blood Pressure in the world.
- Tend to develop High Blood Pressure earlier in life.
- Have much higher blood pressure, 140/90 or higher
- Have a greater risk for complications from High Blood Pressure.
If you or someone you know has High Blood Pressure, it’s important to know the signs of a stroke.
WHEN should I call a doctor?
If you think a person is having a stroke call 9-1-1, FAST! FAST stands for Face, Arm, Speech and Time, and is being used as part of a campaign by the Stroke Awareness Foundation to educate the public about the warning signs of stroke. Observe the following:
- Face – Does one side of the face droop? Ask the person to smile.
- Arm – Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
- Speech – Is speech slurred? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Is the sentence repeated correctly or do they have difficulty speaking and understanding?
- Time – If the person shows any of these symptoms, CALL 9-1-1 immediately and ask to be transported to a Certified Stroke Center, like DeKalb Medical at Hillandale.
DeKalb Medical at Hillandale’s Primary Stroke Program recently received a 2013 “Georgia Coverdell Champion Hospital of the Year” award for stroke care. Named in honor of the late Senator Paul Coverdell of Georgia – the awards are given annually by the Georgia Coverdell Stroke Registry and go to four separate hospitals based on the different size categories of their facilities.
The Hillandale facility’s award winning standard of care, offers a variety of services and resources to prevent or treat stroke, including:
- Early detection and stroke prevention through the Vascular Lab
- The Wellness Center and health education programs
- Physician lectures and community screenings
- A dedicated emergency stroke team
- Inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation
- Leading-edge stroke research
- Support group for patients and their families
DeKalb Medical at Hillandale is here for you. We’re committed to giving you the kind of care and treatment you deserve. To find a physician who’s right for you, call 404-501-WELL or visit http://www.dekalbmedicalhillandale.org.
DeKalb Medical at Hillandale. The cure for the common hospital.
