Stroke Care
Don't Wait
Every second counts when you have a stroke. When a vessel carrying blood to the brain becomes blocked or bursts, the brain is deprived of the essential oxygen and nutrients it needs to survive. We provide stroke care from the emergency department through treatment and rehabilitation.
What is a stroke?
A stroke is a type of cardiovascular disease that occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked or reduced. This causes damage to the brain tissue, which can lead to long-term disabilities or even death.
Signs & Symptoms of a Stroke
Be FAST
If you think you are having a stroke, call 9-1-1 immediately. A stroke is an emergency. Knowing the telltale signs of stroke could save your life or the life of someone you care about. Remember to BE FAST and be aware of:
B - Balance
Sudden loss of balance or dizziness
E - Eyes
Loss of vision in one or both eyes
F - Face Drooping
Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person's smile uneven?
A - Arm Weakness
Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S - Speech Difficulty
Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like "The sky is blue." Is the sentence repeated correctly?
T - Time to call 9-1-1
If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get the person to the hospital immediately. Check the time so you'll know when the first symptoms appeared.
What are stroke risk factors?
Stroke risk factors can include a number of different factors, including age, gender, and family history. Lifestyle choices such as diet and exercise habits can also contribute to an increased risk of stroke. Some medical conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes can also increase the chances of having a stroke.
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease history
- Previous stroke
- Age
- Gender
- Family history
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Sedentary lifestyle and poor diet
Common type of strokes
Ischemic
Ischemic strokes occur when a blood clot blocks one of the arteries in the brain. This causes a blockage and prevents oxygen and nutrients from getting to the brain, which can lead to brain damage.
Hemorrhagic
Hemorrhagic stroke, also known as bleeding stroke, is when there is bleeding in the brain due to a ruptured blood vessel. This can cause severe damage to the brain and may lead to serious complications or death. Hemorrhagic strokes occur more frequently than ischemic strokes and are often caused by an underlying health conditions such as high blood pressure, blood clotting disorders, or bleeding disorders.
Causes of a stroke?
Strokes can develop for a variety of reasons, including high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and blood clotting disorders.
Other causes might include poor diet, lack of exercise or an unhealthy lifestyle in general.
This can lead to the narrowing of arteries over time, resulting in decreased blood flow throughout the body.
What are stroke treatments?
Stroke treatments are designed to help people who have experienced a stroke regain mobility, speech and muscle function.
There are many different types of treatments available for those who had a stroke including:
- Medication
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Speech therapy
- Surgery
- Thrombolytic therapy
- Carotid stenting
- Carotid endarterectomy
What tests are done to diagnose stroke?
- CT scan: A CT scan can detect bleeding in or around the brain, which is often associated with stroke and other neurological conditions.
- MRI: This allows doctors to effectively diagnose stroke and other health conditions by looking at the brain tissue, blood vessels, and other organs.
- Blood tests: A blood test can help diagnose a stroke by measuring certain factors in the blood, such as levels of proteins or enzymes.
- ECG: ECG is a common test that measures the heart’s electrical activity. A stroke can cause changes in the normal rhythm of the heart and ECG may be able to detect these changes.
- EKG: EKG is a diagnostic tool used to detect and record activity in the heart. This can be used to diagnose a stroke by identifying abnormalities or changes.
- EEG: EEG is a technique for recording electrical activity in the brain.
Accredited Rehabilitation Program
Certified by The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)