Screening for Stroke

by Dr. Lee Guterman

We have established a stroke screening program for the Western New York community. A team of physicians, nurses, ultrasound technicians, dieticians, and clerical staff go out to senior centers, shopping malls, and corporations with a program designed to educate the public about stroke risk factors and evaluate individual stroke risk.

Participants complete a stroke risk assessment form. Nurses monitor the participants' blood pressure and heart rate and provide dietary counseling. Participants then watch a video about stroke which is followed by an educational discussion. Doppler screening to evaluate participants' carotid arteries is also provided. The participant then meets with a physician to review their individual Doppler results and stroke risk assessment form.

To-date we have screened over 2,000 people and we plan to continue to do this on a regular basis as a service to the people of Western New York. This has been an objective of mine for the past 3 years. Part of the funding comes from our practice, part from the Independent Health Foundation, and part the Women's Board of Kaleida at Millard Fillmore Hospital. These partnerships have helped make our program a success and have played a major role in helping to educate the community about stroke risk and prevention.