SAN JOSE, Calif., May 5, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Good Samaritan Hospital is educating the greater San Jose community about stroke prevention and risk factors as part of American Stroke Month this May. Three of Good Samaritan Hospital's stroke team leaders—Dr. Harmeet Sachdev, Dr. Reza Malek and Dr. Matthew Levy—will present the free community lecture "At the Heart of Stroke: The Link Between Your Heart and Brain" on May 13 at the Addison-Penzak JCC of Silicon Valley, located at 14855 Oka Road in Los Gatos, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Stroke survivors will also be on hand May 13 to share their experiences about the invaluable treatment offered to patients at the Good Samaritan Hospital Comprehensive Stroke Center. Former stroke patients are invited to celebrate at a special pre-lecture reception at the JCC starting at 5 p.m.
As the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, strokes will continue to affect many in the San Jose community. Good Samaritan Hospital is one of only seven Comprehensive Stroke Centers in California, and one of just 60 in the entire country, that can offer a full range of aggressive treatments on site.
"The team at Good Samaritan Hospital provides care for even the most complex stroke cases, in both the acute and recovery stages," said Dr. Sachdev, Medical Director of Good Samaritan's Comprehensive Stroke Center. "We are equipped to perform endovascular procedures to pull the clots out of blocked arteries in the brain at our facility within eight hours of the onset of stroke symptoms, and that includes those of more advanced age. It is so important that our family, friends and neighbors be able to recognize the symptoms of stroke and to know where to go in the event of such an emergency."
With one of the nation's first Joint Commission-certified Comprehensive Stroke Centers and among Santa Clara County's highest volume of stroke patients, Good Samaritan Hospital delivers fast stroke care and provides better outcomes with its 24/7 team of board certified physicians, nurses and experts. Up to 2 million brain cells die each second during a stroke, so time and expertise is of the utmost importance when obtaining treatment.
The Good Samaritan Hospital stroke team will also be on hand at the May 17 Health Fair, also taking place at Addison-Penzak JCC of Silicon Valley, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors to the Good Samaritan booth can ask questions, pick up the latest materials about stroke care, and come away with some fun prizes.
Additionally, Health Fair attendees can find out more information about a variety of other Good Samaritan specialty services including breast care, behavioral health, joint replacement and radiation/oncology, as well as resources related to diabetes, lung screening, and volunteer opportunities.
Space is limited at the May 13 lecture and pre-reception, so attendees should RSVP today by calling 1-888-724-2362. Information is also available here: http://www.goodsamsanjose.com/For-the-Community/Classes-Events.aspx#/?i=1
For more information about Good Samaritan Hospital's Comprehensive Stroke Center, please visit: http://www.goodsamsanjose.com/Our-Services/Neurosciences/Comprehensive-Stroke-Center.aspx
About Good Samaritan Hospital
Good Samaritan Hospital is celebrating its 50th anniversary serving the Silicon Valley community. Since 1965, the 474 bed acute care hospital with the main campus in San Jose, California and the Mission Oaks campus in Los Gatos, California, has been a leader in cutting-edge treatment technologies in neurosciences, high-risk obstetrics, neonatal intensive care, and advanced cardiology. Good Samaritan has continually been recognized nationally for quality and safety, earning such recognitions as an "A" from The Leapfrog Group for patient safety and Top Performer status from The Joint Commission. In addition to being voted a "Family Favorite" hospital for more than ten years, it is one of only ten hospitals nationwide to be awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer four consecutive times, and has one of only seven Comprehensive Stroke Centers in the state. For more information visit, www.goodsamsanjose.com.