Look Who it Was Random video

Preventing the First Stroke

1,500 views · Published 8 March 2015 · 1:49 · Indexed 6 November 2026

Channel: Lee Health · 2015 · Science & Technology

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Something lurking in Linda Albert’s family tree is potentially damaging or deadly. It already struck several people close to her. 

“I have a family history of strokes - my mom and now my aunt,” says Linda Albert. 

Hoping to avoid the same, Linda recently took part in a free stroke screening offered by Gulf Coast Medical Center.

“Because of my history, sometimes I walk around and I feel like I’m a ticking time bomb,” says Albert. 

Armed with the knowledge she already had, Linda got a read on her risk.

“There are multiple risk factors for stroke, both modifiable - things patients can do something about, and non-modifiable risk factors - genetic factors and age. Common modifiable risk factors that we help patient address would be: hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol and smoking,” says Dr. Adam Heller, a neurologist on the medical staff of Lee Memorial Health System. 

Although more Americans are surviving a stroke, more are left with life-long disabilities. And at least 1 in 4 will have another stroke in their lifetime, making it very important to understand your risk and avoid the first stroke from striking.

“I’m out there educating people on stroke prevention and a screening is very important,” says Tricia Meinel, who is a stroke analyst coordinator with Lee Memorial Health System. 

Specialized tests provide a window to your stroke risk, including heart tests to check for A-fib an irregular heart beat that can sometimes lead to stroke, glucose screening, a lipid panel and a non-invasive test that looks at blood flow.

“The carotid ultra-sound machine is one of the tests that we do perform for our patients, to see if they have blocked arteries,” says Meinel. 

Linda Albert went through the screening and came out smiling.

“It gives you a good feeling or things you need to look into,” says Albert. 

Thwarting a first stroke can prevent a lifetime of recovery. 

View More Health Matters video segments at leememorial.org/healthmatters/

Lee Memorial Health System in Fort Myers, FL is the largest network of medical care facilities in Southwest Florida and is highly respected for its expertise, innovation and quality of care. For nearly a century, we’ve been providing our community with everything from primary care treatment to highly specialized care services and robotic assisted surgeries.

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