In honor of National Stroke Awareness Month, Desert Care Network will host a Stroke Prevention Health Fair to educate attendees on why every second counts when it comes to stroke. The free event will be held Wednesday, May 7, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Stergios Bell Tower Building on the Desert Regional Medical Center campus in Palm Springs.

The American Stroke Association (ASA) reports that stroke affects approximately 800,000 people each year nationally. While stroke is a leading cause of death and disability, the ASA says as many as 80% of the stroke events may be preventable with healthy lifestyle changes, screening for risk factors and awareness that stroke is treatable – even beatable.

Education and awareness are key, and all are invited to attend the informative presentation featuring medical and clinical providers in areas of stroke prevention, detection, treatment and recovery.

Learn the timeline of how a stroke unfolds, and what happens from diagnosis and treatment to rehabilitation and the return home. Neurologist Rutu Dave, MD, will review the signs of stroke and what to do in an emergency. Neurointerventional Radiologist

Hamid Farid, MD, will discuss advanced treatment options offered at comprehensive stroke centers, while cardiologist and electrophysiologist Hetal Bhakta, MD, will cover heart rhythm disorders, such as atrial fibrillation, an increasingly common condition that can increase your risk of stroke.

“The message for this year’s health fair is to identify the symptoms of stroke, act on them quickly and better understand the different treatments,” says Kendalyn Zerebny, RN, BSN, SCN, Stroke Coordinator, Desert Regional Medical Center. “We want to make it easy for our residents to understand that stroke can happen at any age and F.A.S.T. action is key.” This lifesaving acronym summarizes symptoms and action: face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulties and time.

The event offers valuable resources, including fact sheets on stroke prevention, lifestyle modifications, physical and occupational therapy and rehabilitation. A complimentary lunch will also be provided along with the presentations.

Desert Care Network’s Stroke Prevention Health Fair is free and open to all. Registration is requested by visiting www.DesertCareNetwork.com/events.