Stroke

Many factors contribute to your likelihood of experiencing a stroke. While not all can be controlled, several can be better managed starting today. Risk factors of stroke include:

• Diabetes
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Family history of stroke
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation)
• Physical inactivity and obesity
• Smoking

There are two main types of stroke. When blood flow to the brain is blocked, it is called an ischemic stroke. A hemorrhagic stroke, on the other hand, occurs if a blood vessel breaks and bleeds into or around the brain.

It is essential to call 911 in the event of a stroke rather than driving to the emergency room (ER). Emergency medical services (EMS) personnel can communicate with our hospital en route to see that you receive care as quickly as possible.

If you or a loved one comes to one of our ERs with symptoms, we evaluate using evidence-based diagnostic technology, such as:

• Blood work
• Chest X-rays
• Computerized tomography (CT) scans
• Electrocardiography (EKGs)
• Swallow studies

Symptoms of a stroke

A stroke is a medical emergency, and prompt treatment is vital to preserving brain cells and increasing the chances of a positive outcome. Call 911 immediately if you or a loved one is experiencing any of these symptoms, and remember to BE FAST:

• Balance — Sudden loss of balance
• Eyes — Loss of vision in one or both eyes
• Face — Drooping on one side of the face
• Arms — One arm hanging lower than the other
• Speech — Slurred or unintelligible speech
• Time — Time to call 911 now

Our stroke program offers a streamlined approach to care. Once diagnosed, we begin stroke treatment as soon as possible. Starting treatment as soon after symptoms begin is crucial to helping prevent and reverse brain damage and disability. Our emergency personnel always stand by to provide immediate assessment, evaluation and intervention.

If you are diagnosed with an ischemic stroke and your symptoms began within the previous three to four and a half hours, you may be offered a tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). This clot-dissolving drug is administered to help restore blood flow to the brain. If you are diagnosed with a hemorrhagic stroke, you may be taken to surgery or our intensive care unit (ICU) for monitoring.

Our system has a Comprehensive Stroke Center certified by Det Norske Veritas (DNV), demonstrating our adherence to treatment guidelines and advances for stroke and transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). Research has shown that receiving care at a designated stroke center can improve life expectancy and decrease disability.

If you need to be hospitalized, you are treated in our dedicated stroke unit, staffed by nurses with specialized training. Our professionals teach you about follow-up care, stroke prevention and lifestyle modifications before you leave the hospital.

Services available to you in our hospital include:

• Case management
• Emergency medicine
• Interventional neurology
• Laboratory and imaging services
• Minimally invasive surgery
• Neurological care, including neurosurgery
• Nursing
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Radiology

Our multidisciplinary team is committed to promoting a functional return to daily activities. After you receive stroke treatment, we evaluate your need for physical or speech therapy. We have been certified for stroke rehabilitation by The Joint Commission, a leading accreditor of healthcare organizations in the United States.