Baptist Health Hardin gives back with stroke screenings

ELIZABETHTOWN, KY (May 21, 2024) – May is Stroke Awareness Month, when the focus is on prevention, and awareness of the signs and symptoms. Minutes matter during stroke evaluation. Receiving care immediately can be the difference between temporary weakness and disability, or even death.

Today, many people checked their blood pressure and stroke risk through free screenings offered by Baptist Health Hardin, in partnership with Helping Hand of Hope and Encompass Rehabilitation of Lakeview. The event was part of Baptist Health’s year-long 100 Days of Service, marking its centennial.

The stroke screenings drew a steady crowd throughout the event. Attendees came out to receive glucose, lipid, and cholesterol checks, and blood pressure screenings. 

Encompass Rehabilitation Hospital of Lakeview, Karma Yoga and Hot Yoga also attended the event. Attendees were also able to walk through the inflatable Mega Brain exhibit, sponsored by Genentech, to learn more about brain health. Hot dogs and Hamburgers were provided by Swope Toyota. This was the fifth monthly event that Baptist Health’s hospitals hosted to mark its centennial year. In June, Baptist Health will focus on healthcare careers.

“We had a tremendously successful stroke event today, talking with over 100 people about stroke and providing dozens of free health screenings,” said Erin Priddy, Baptist Health Hardin Community Health and Wellness manager.” Stroke can strike anyone without warning. Knowing your risk factors and having routine health screenings is vital to overall health. We appreciate all our community partners, and everyone who came out for this event.”

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States. Kentucky has a higher death rate for stroke than the national average and has the 14th highest rate in the nation. Stroke is the sixth leading cause of death in Kentucky – the fourth leading cause in Indiana. Indiana has the 17th highest rate in the nation.

Spotting a stroke

Stroke symptoms include numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body; confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech; trouble seeing in one or both eyes; trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination; and severe headache with no known cause.

Use the letters F.A.S.T. to spot a stroke:

• F = Face drooping. Is the person’s smile uneven?
• A = Arm weakness. If the person raises both arms, does one arm drift downward?
• S = Speech difficulty. Is speech slurred?
• T = Time to call 911. Note the time when any of the symptoms first appeared.

The original Kentucky Baptist Hospital in Louisville opened its doors in November 1924 following years of rallying community support and fundraising. Baptist Health has since expanded to nine hospitals and more than 2,700 licensed beds, reaching nearly 75% of Kentucky residents and a wide swath of southern Indiana.