Each year, about 795,000 Americans suffer a new or recurrent stroke. That means, on average, a stroke occurs every 40 seconds. Stroke kills more than 129,000 people a year. That’s about 1 out of every 20 deaths.
Stroke has dropped to the nation’s fifth leading cause of death according to new federal statistics. It is the No. 3 cause of death for women and No. 5 cause for men.
Stroke screenings are a commonly used prevention strategy to identify and educate those at risk. According to the National Stroke Association, 80 percent of strokes are preventable. For people who have developed small clots or other early symptoms, a screening can be the early warning system that saves their lives.
The Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging’s Prime Time Health program and the Clearfield County Career & Technology Center’s Licensed Practical Nurse program will be conducting Stroke Screenings during the month of May.
Individuals may attend one of the following stroke screenings available:
- Kylertown Center for Active Living – 814-345-6338 on Friday, May 6, from 9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.
- Karthaus Center for Active Living – 814-263-7277 on May 6 from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.;
- Houtzdale Family Service Center – 814-378-5120 on May 12, from 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.;
- Coalport Center for Active Living – 814-672-3574 on Thursday, May 12, from 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.;
- Parkside Community Center, DuBois – 814-371-4000 on May 20, from 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.;
- Mahaffey Center for Active Living – 814-277-4544 on Thursday, May 19, from 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.;
- Clearfield Center for Active Living – 814-765-9319 on Thursday, May 26, from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Individuals will fill out a short questionnaire and then the nurses will check the blood pressure, pulse and the carotid artery. Anyone found to be at increased risk for stroke will be urged to see their doctor for a more in-depth follow-up.
This screening may be of interest to individuals 50 years of age and older. There is no charge and no reservation is needed for the screening.
However, those interested in eating a weekday lunch at the Center are asked to call the day before to make a meal reservation.
Any Clearfield County consumer over the age of 60 may contribute to the cost of the weekday meal on a donation basis. The cost for those under age 60 will be $3.50.
For more information on the   screenings, call the local centers listed or 814-765-2696 or 1-800-225-8571 and ask for the PrimeTime Health program.
Programs and services of the Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging Inc. are funded in part by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, the Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging, Mature Resources Foundation, and local and consumer contributions.
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