Stroke

Upon arrival and admittance to our emergency room (ER), our physicians work closely with emergency medical services (EMS) to determine if you're experiencing an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke.

To gain a diagnosis, we typically perform a variety of tests and imaging procedures, such as:

• Blood work
• Chest X-ray
• Computerized tomography (CT) brain scan
• Electrocardiogram (EKG)
• Swallow studies

Stroke symptoms and how to recognize them

Because a stroke is a serious medical event, it is important to know the warning signs and when to seek emergency care.

It is important to BE FAST when you recognize stroke symptoms, which stands for:

• Balance — Is the person experiencing a sudden loss of balance?
• Eyes — Has the person lost vision in one or both eyes?
• Face — Does the person's face look uneven, or has one side begun to droop?
• Arms — If the person raises both arms above their head, does one arm hang down?
• Speech — Is the person's speech slurred?
• Time — If you recognize any of these symptoms, remember time is critical and call 911.

In addition to immediately evaluating and assessing your condition, our stroke specialists work quickly to determine appropriate next steps. Fast treatment is crucial for preventing and reversing permanent brain damage, which can lead to disability.

If you first experienced symptoms within the previous three to four and a half hours, an ischemic stroke may call for a medication called tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). This drug dissolves the blood clot that is causing the stroke and helps restore blood flow to the brain.

Within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms, some situations might require an endovascular procedure called a mechanical thrombectomy. During this procedure, our interventional radiologist will remove a blood clot from an artery that is blocking blood flow to the brain.

Surgery could be necessary for a hemorrhagic stroke. If you need 24/7 monitoring, we may direct you to our intensive care unit (ICU).

We offer a dedicated rehabilitation program following your stroke treatment that includes physical, occupational and speech therapy. Through our stroke recovery program, you have access to multiple services, including:

• Adaptive equipment home assessments
• Aquatic therapy
• Barium swallow studies
• Bowel and bladder therapy
• Family counseling
• Home exercise program
• Occupational therapy
• Perceptual evaluation and training
• Physical therapy
• Psychological counseling
• Recreational therapy
• Speech language therapy
• Swallowing disorder treatment

We also offer referrals to our vocational rehabilitation and driving education programs.