LIHU‘E — In observance of May being recognized as Stroke Awareness Month, the Wilcox Medical Center, in partnership with American Medical Response and the Kaua‘i Philippine Cultural Center, is offering a free stroke and fall prevention education event on Saturday.
The event is 2 to 4 p.m. at the Kaua‘i Philippine Cultural Center in Puhi, located behind the YMCA and adjacent to Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School.
A key presentation will be how to recognize the signs and symptoms of a stroke using the “BE FAST” method, the acronym breaking down to mean “Balance, Eyes, Face, Arm, Speech, Time.”
According to Scripps Clinic, a stroke occurs when blood supply to the brain is interrupted. On occasion, a stroke has been called a brain attack.
Scripps also states about 800,000 people suffer a stroke in the United States each year, and stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and leading cause of serious long-term disability in the U.S., citing data from the American Heart Association.
However, stroke is a preventable and treatable disease, Scripps says. Knowing the signs of stroke, and getting fast treatment when stroke symptoms occur, can literally make the difference between life and death, or serious disability.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 80 percent of strokes could be prevented through healthy lifestyle changes and proper health care.
People who are at higher risk for stroke include people with a previous stroke, atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm disorder, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, obesity and sickle cell disease.
The second presentation will be fall prevention measures that can be taken in the home.
Following the presentations, a hands-on demonstration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and blood pressure checks will be available.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
