News Releases

May is Stroke Awareness Month. Do you know your stroke facts?

• Stroke can be fatal. It’s the No. 4 cause of death and the leading cause of adult disability in the U.S.
• Stroke can happen to anyone at any time, regardless of race, sex or age. 
• Stroke is more common in women.
• African Americans have almost twice the risk of stroke compared to whites.

The most important thing to know is that most strokes can be prevented and, when strokes occur, swift, appropriate response can save lives. Act FAST when the signs of stroke appear:

• F = Face  
  Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
• A = Arms
  Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
• S = Speech
  Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is his/her speech slurred or strange?
• T = Time
  If you notice any of these signs, call 911 immediately.

Spectrum Health treats more stroke patients than any other provider in the Michigan. In honor of Stroke Awareness Month, Spectrum Health is holding free stroke education and screening events this month in several of its facilities. Participants will be able to find out if they are at risk for stroke and what they can do to prevent stroke. Preregistration is not required.

Monday, May 21

Grand Rapids

• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rehab and Nursing Center, Activity Room, 4118 Kalamazoo Avenue SE

Tuesday, May 22

Grand Rapids

• Noon to 4 p.m. Meijer Heart Center, Registration Area, 100 Michigan Street NE
• Noon to 4 p.m. Butterworth Hospital, Room 1710E, 100 Michigan Street NE
• 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Blodgett Hospital, Guild Room 1, 1840 Wealthy Street SE

Fremont

• Noon to 4 p.m. Gerber Memorial Hospital, Lobby, 212 S. Sullivan Avenue
• 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Tamarac Lobby, 1401 W. Main Street

Greenville

• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. United Hospital, Conference Room B, 615 S. Bower Street

Lakeview

• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kelsey Hospital, Family Consultation Room, 418 Washington Avenue

Reed City

• Noon to 4 p.m. Reed City Hospital, Family Practice Lobby, 300 N. Patterson Road

Zeeland

• 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Zeeland Community Hospital, DeWitt Professional Building, Conference Room C, 8333 Felch Street

Thursday, May 24

Grand Rapids

• 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Rehab and Nursing Center, Front Lobby, 750 Fuller Avenue

Spectrum Health also has a stroke risk assessment posted online at www.spectrumhealth.org/strokerisk. The assessment will help people learn about their personal risk factors and what they can do to prevent stroke.

Spectrum Health Butterworth and Blodgett hospitals are certified primary stroke centers and provide prompt stroke patient care, including advanced treatment options as well as other defined standards of The Joint Commission, the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association.

Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system in West Michigan offering a full continuum of care through the Spectrum Health Hospital Group, which is comprised of nine hospitals including Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, a state of the art children’s hospital that opened in January 2011, and 190 service sites; the Spectrum Health Medical Group and West Michigan Heart, physician groups totaling more than 600 providers; and Priority Health, a health plan with 625,000 members. Spectrum Health is West Michigan’s largest employer with more than 18,000 employees. The organization provided $176.5 million in community benefit during its 2011 fiscal year.