May is National Stroke Awareness Month
Did you know that more than 700,000 Americans will experience a stroke this year, and about one in four will die from it? Many people in high-risk groups live in fear of one day experiencing a stroke, but that risk can be sharply reduced by controlling blood pressure, exercising, quitting smoking and carefully managing diabetes.

Some key warning signs of a stroke include:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden confusion or trouble speaking
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness or loss of balance
• Sudden severe headaches

“Research has shown that stroke is as preventable as heart attack,” says Adrian Goldszmidt, MD, director of Neurology at Sinai Hospital and head of the Stroke Center. “Changing your lifestyle can dramatically lower your risk of stroke.”

The Stroke Center at Sinai is launching a stroke awareness campaign this month to coincide with American Stroke Month. The Stroke Center was recently recognized with a Primary Stroke Center Certification for its exceptional efforts in fostering better outcomes in stroke care. Sinai is the only community hospital in the area to earn such a designation. For more information about the Stroke Center at Sinai, please call 410-601-WELL.