What is a stroke?

A stroke happens when the blood flow is cut off to an area of the brain. This causes brain cells to die because of oxygen deprivation. As brain cells die, a person can lose certain functions such as memory or muscle control, depending on which area of the brain is affected. Strokes differ in severity depending on where they occur and the extent of the damage they cause. Individuals with small strokes may suffer only temporary issues or minor problems whereas those who have suffered a large stroke may experience serious permanent disabilities.

Warning Signs (F.A.S.T.)

Every minute counts when treating a stroke, which is why it is essential to understand the warning signs of this condition. A simple way to keep track of these warning signs is to memorize the acronym F.A.S.T.

F – “F” represents face drooping, a common sign of a stroke in which one side of the patient’s face droops or is numb. Asking the person to smile and checking to see if their smile is uneven is a good way to identify this sign.

A – “A” represents arm weakness. A person having a stroke may experience weakness or numbness in one arm. Check for this symptom by asking the person to raise both arms and looking to see if one arm drifts in a downward direction.

S – “S” stands for speech difficulty. If a person’s speech is slurred, if they are difficult to understand or if they cannot speak, this is a good indicator that they are having a stroke. Asking them to repeat a simple sentence can help you check for this sign.

T – “T” means time to call 9-1-1. If an individual displays any of the above signs, call 9-1-1 and make sure they get to the hospital right away. This should be done even if the symptoms disappear. Be sure to take note of the time when the symptoms first appeared.

Stroke Prevention

As many as 80% of strokes are preventable. The first step in preventing a stroke is to identify any risk factors that you have. These could be lifestyle risk factors such as diet, smoking or alcohol consumption, or medical risk factors such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Once you have identified these risk factors with your doctor, work to reduce or eliminate these issues by making personal changes or taking necessary medications.

Stroke Treatment, Services, and Recovery

When evaluating a stroke patient, we focus on how to provide necessary emergency treatment as well as how to provide continued care to meet the patient’s individual needs. Usually, a head CT scan, brain MRI or another type of scan is completed to assist healthcare providers in evaluating the patient. Stroke recovery is possible in some cases when brain cells are only temporarily damaged and not destroyed. In other cases, a person’s brain may be able to reorganize how it functions, or another area of the brain may take over the functions of the damaged area. The patient should begin rehabilitation as soon as possible after a stroke. Rehabilitation can come in several different venues including through a subacute care unit, home therapy, or outpatient therapy.

National Designations

Advanced Thrombectomy Stroke Center by The Joint Commission and American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. To achieve certification, we underwent a rigorous, unannounced onsite review. During the visit, a team of Joint Commission reviewers evaluated our compliance with numerous related certification standards, including program management and patient care. The reviewers also conducted onsite observations and interviews. The Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts, and patients.

A thrombectomy is a minimally invasive procedure where a hair-thin catheter is inserted into a stroke victim to remove a blood clot from a vein or artery, restoring normal blood flow. The catheter is inserted through a small puncture site, usually in the neck, groin, or arm, and then navigated using X-ray imagery inside the vein or artery to the site of the clot. Once there, the catheter is equipped with devices that can grasp and remove the clot. The faster the procedure is performed, the better the chances of reducing disability, organ damage, and death. Our thrombectomy program was first launched in 2019.

National Awards

American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement award. We earned the Gold Plus award, the highest level possible, for our continuous commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, leading to more lives saved and reduced disability. It is the seventh consecutive year that our stroke program has earned Gold Plus distinction. Get With The Guidelines Stroke is an in-hospital program for improving stroke care by promoting consistent adherence to these guidelines, which can minimize the long-term effects of a stroke and even prevent death.

American Heart Association’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award. Patients diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes may be at higher risk for complications after suffering a stroke. We were named to the American Heart Association’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award for continuously demonstrating specialized care for diabetic stroke patients, ensuring they receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized. This year’s Honor Roll award marks the fourth consecutive year that we have earned this specialized award from the American Heart Association.