Free luncheon on African-Americans' risk for stroke

           A free lunch seminar on African-Americans’ risk for stroke will be from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, in the Baptist Heart Center Auditorium.

           Reservations are required: (270) 575-2918.

           Speakers are Jacqueline Carter, M.D., a neurologist and stroke specialist relocating from Milwaukee to Western Baptist in early August; and cardiologist Patrick Withrow, M.D., vice president/chief medical officer at Western Baptist.

           African-Americans are twice as likely to die from stroke as Caucasians, according to the National Stroke Association. African-American women are especially vulnerable. Half of all African-American women will die from stroke or heart disease. Risk factors include high blood pressure, diabetes and sickle cell anemia.

            A blocked artery to the brain results in a stroke, which is the nation’s third leading killer. The most common signs of a stroke are sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes; sudden trouble walking, dizziness or loss of balance; sudden confusion or trouble understanding speech; and sudden bad headache with no known cause.

            This event comes at a time when the hospital is making great strides in stroke treatment. Western Baptist announced a partnership with the University of Louisville Health Care in May 2009, bringing the state’s top stroke specialists to western Kentucky through a robot telemedicine network.

            A blocked artery to the brain results in a stroke, the nation’s third leading killer. “Stroke is the second leading cause of admissions to nursing homes and the leading cause of disability,” said Dr. Withrow, a cardiologist here since 1981. “Knowing the devastating impact of stroke on their families, my patients have always said to me, ‘Anything, doc, but a stroke.’ ”

            Just as quick treatment can minimize heart damage after a heart attack, clot-busting medication given intravenously within three hours of the onset of stroke symptoms can reverse or reduce stroke damage.

           To improve access and expedite stroke care, the U of L robot network offers 24/7 support, adding its team of experts to the spectrum of care available at Western Baptist. From a mobile robot, a wireless Internet link allows specialists in Louisville to interact with patients, families, physicians and nurses at Western Baptist.

            Dr. Carter is joining Neurology Specialists at Western Baptist. A graduate of Northwestern University Medical Center, she completed her neurology residency at Vanderbilt University. Dr. Carter most recently served as medical director of the Columbia-St. Mary’s Stroke Centers in Milwaukee. She is accepting new patients at Neurology Specialists, 2605 Kentucky Ave., Doctors Office Building 3, Suite 202, office phone (270) 415-4800.

            More information on stroke care is available at westernbaptist.com or from one of Western Baptist’s nurses at Baptist Health Line at (270) 575-2918.

            If you need to speak immediately to a nurse about possible stroke symptoms, phone Western Baptist’s Chest Pain and Stroke Hotline at 1-800-575-1911.