National Stroke Awareness Month takes place annually in May. Many organizations observe this month to promote public awareness and reduce the incidence of stroke in the U.S. There are various ways you can participate in this call to action including: learning the stroke risk factors, stressing the importance of keeping your brain healthy, signs and symptoms to watch out for, and what to do in an emergency.
Do you know the signs and symptoms of stroke? F.A.S.T. is an easy acronym to help you remember them—and perhaps save a life.
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Sudden NUMBNESS or weakness of face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
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Sudden CONFUSION, trouble speaking or understanding speech
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Sudden TROUBLE SEEING in one or both eyes
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Sudden TROUBLE WALKING, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
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Sudden SEVERE HEADACHE with no known cause
Every minute counts when you or someone you know is having a stroke. Act F.A.S.T. and call 9-1-1 right away if you spot signs of stroke.
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Resources with more information:
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Don't forget to forward this newsletter to your employees to share all the great wellness content and handouts! |
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Stroke Care with Virginia Hospital Center |
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If you or a loved one experiences a stroke, count on Virginia Hospital Center for high-quality, specialized care that helps you have the best possible recovery. Benefit from technology, qualified healthcare professionals, and programs that treat strokes from onset through recovery and rehabilitation.
What to Expect
We're certified as a Primary Stroke Center by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association and an Advanced Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission. That means you can expect prompt, high-quality stroke treatment from medical professionals trained in stroke care. Effective stroke treatment begins in the emergency department with a swift and accurate diagnosis. Members of the stroke rehabilitation team use imaging tests to find blood clots, blockages in major arteries to the brain, and narrowed blood vessels or blood clots. Then, they'll provide the best treatment for your specific condition.
Stroke Recovery
Get the best possible start to your recovery at Virginia Hospital Center. Benefit from the knowledge of nurses with in-depth training and continuing education on caring for patients recovering from strokes. Rely on us to:
- Provide education about your condition and care options
- Help you and your family prepare for your return home
- Arrange for continuing therapy and services
- Help you reduce your risk for future strokes
Stroke Rehabilitation Options
Work with your stroke care team to develop a care plan to fits your needs, goals and challenges. After a stroke, you may benefit from:
For more information, click the link below.
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Services Related to Stroke Education |
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What to Know About Popular Diets |
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Webinars
- Be Stroke Smart
- Know Your Health: A New Look at Why I Smoke and How to Quit
- Managing Blood Pressure
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Check out our newly revamped lecture: What to Know About Popular Diets. The “diet” industry is a billion dollar business. This session will discuss diet trends, review some of the most popular diets and teach participants ways to manage weight with a healthy lifestyle that suits them.
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Fitness and Healthy Lifestyle Classes |
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Virginia Hospital Center offers a variety of fitness and healthy lifestyle classes. New sessions begin the week of May 10th and include a variety of yoga, Pilates, strength-based classes, and options to suit the needs of older adults. The Hospital also offers Prenatal and Postpartum fitness classes, as well as Childbirth classes and support groups. The majority of classes are held virtually to keep our students and instructors safe. Nordic Walking, beginning in July, will be held outdoors and walking poles will be provided. To view the full schedule of fitness classes, visit www.virginiahospitalcenter.com/healthy
Contact the Health Promotion Dept. with any questions – 703.558.6740.
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Download a Full List of HealthWorks Services |
To download a full list of our services, click the document to the left. |
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Exciting VHC Updates
in Women & Infant Health
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A New Option for Convenient Pregnancy Care
Introducing VHC OB Connect
Routine prenatal visits are an exciting time to track baby’s development and receive guidance from your provider – but all of the sixteen or more in-office visits can add up in a lot of time off work, arranging childcare, and transporting to the physician office. Virginia Hospital Center Physician Group OB/GYN’s new OB Connect program offers pregnant patients a new option for convenience and flexibility with the use of at-home monitoring equipment, including a fetal Doppler to hear baby's heartbeat and a blood pressure cuff, to complete more routine prenatal visits live via video visit from home than otherwise possible. Many enjoy including loved ones in these at-home visit experiences so that your support person can be knowledgeable and supportive of your care plan and ways to stay healthy.
VHC OB Connect is based on Mayo Clinic's highly successful OB Nest Program and is available to patients of VHC Physician Group-OB/GYN – the first and only OB/GYN practice to offer this type of service in our area.
Call our office to learn more about pregnancy care and OB Connect with Virginia Hospital Center Physician Group.
- VHC Physician Group OB/GYN Arlington: 703.717.4600
- VHC Physician Group OB/GYN Old Town: 703.940.3364
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Pregnancy and Infant Care Guidance in the Palm of Your Hand
Introducing the VHC OB Journey App
Our new VHC OB Journey app provides evidence-based information and tools to help you track your pregnancy, prepare for baby’s arrival, and navigate the first year of baby’s life! Register for our free app at VHC OB Journey to explore these things and more:
- Track your baby’s growth and count their kicks
- Learn other mom’s birth stories
- Watch helpful laboring and breastfeeding techniques
- Learn everything you need to know about having a baby at Virginia Hospital Center
- Log your baby’s feeding schedule
Childbirth Navigation to Prepare for Your Birth Experience
Live Group and One-On-One Opportunities to Get Your Questions Answered
Join our ongoing free interactive virtual series, What to Expect When Having a Baby at Virginia Hospital Center, to meet our Director of Childbirth Education Fran Williams (BSN, RN) who will walk you through every step of your childbirth experience at VHC and answer your childbirth questions. Fran has shared her decades of labor and delivery nursing and childbirth education experience with growing families in our community to support their health and positive experiences throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Get in touch with Fran to ask your questions about having a baby at Virginia Hospital Center and how to prepare for the experience that's right for you: childbirtheducation@virginiahospitalcenter.com or 703.558.2468
Community-Based Classes to Help You Prepare for Birth and Baby
Expert-Led Classes to Support Your Birth Experience
If you are expecting, join one of our popular expert-led community-based classes or support groups, which are all being held virtually by a live expert instructor. Visit Pregnancy & Birthing Class to register for a class on childbirth preparation, comfort measures for unmedicated labor, infant care skills, prenatal yoga, and more. Visit Pregnancy & Parenthood Support Group to join one of our free support groups for parenting during COVID-19, breastfeeding and pumping, partner skills and support, and more.
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Know Your Numbers: Get Your Health Screenings |
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The Health Promotion Department, located at the Shirlington Campus, offers one-to-one health screenings to help you stay on top of your health. Most screenings include immediate results & counseling. Call 703.558.6740 to make an appointment.
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Videos and Downloadable PDFs |
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VIRGINIA HOSPITAL CENTER - HEALTHWORKS
703.558.6740
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