DOWNEY – Due to overwhelming demand, 100 reservation slots have been added so that more members of the local community can attend the final Downey Primary Stroke Prevention Seminar of the year on Wednesday, October 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Rio Hondo Event Center. In addition, life-saving carotid artery screenings, which can cost upwards of $500 at a doctor’s office, will be provided free at the seminar. Registering for the seminar is easy.  Simply visit http://rthfoundation.org/single-event/seminar-stroke-dementia-2/ or call (888) 794-9466 to register.

“The lives of many Downey-area residents have been saved because our screenings detected that their carotid arteries were nearly 100 percent blocked,” said Deborah Massaglia, President of the RTH Stroke Foundation.

“None of these individuals had any idea they had this life-threatening condition,” she said.  “We advise adults to have this painless ultrasound screening annually, because it is a critical element in assessing a person’s risk for stroke.”

Free blood pressure screenings will also be offered at the seminar.  In the last two years, nearly 300 individuals were diagnosed with life-threatening high blood pressure levels at the Downey Primary Stroke Prevention seminars, which are sponsored by the RTH Stroke Foundation in partnership with Rio Hondo Event Center, The Downey Patriot, Keck Medicine of USC and PIH Health.

The free seminar on October 29 will also feature a presentation on Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia by one of the world’s most renowned doctors and researchers, Dr. Helena Chang Chui.

“We think Dr. Chui’s message is so important that we have opened these new reservation slots, but based on previous experience they won’t last long,” Deborah said.

Dr. Chui holds the Raymond and Betty McCarron endowed Chair at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and serves as chair of the Department of Neurology. She is internationally recognized for her research in Alzheimer’s disease and vascular cognitive impairment.

“Having Dr. Chui speak is a great way to end our year of Primary Stroke Prevention Seminars in Downey,” Deborah said. “She is a tremendous speaker, a legendary researcher, a visionary leader, and an even greater person.

“I know that anyone who hears Dr. Chui speak on October 29 will learn things that can help them improve their health and the overall quality of their life,” she added. “We recommend that our friends in their community make their reservations now so that they can attend this very special free seminar.”

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Published: Oct. 16, 2014 - Volume 13 - Issue 27