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Stroke Care

Stroke Care

If you think you or someone you know is experiencing a stroke, call 911 immediately.

A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked, most often by a blood clot. When blood flow is interrupted, brain cells begin to die quickly, making immediate medical attention critical. The faster a patient receives emergency stroke care, the more treatment options are available to help reduce long-term damage and improve outcomes.

Our Stroke Care team provides rapid, expert evaluation and advanced treatment for patients experiencing all types of stroke emergencies.

Recognizing the Signs of Stroke: BE FAST

Early recognition of stroke symptoms is essential. Use the acronym BE FAST to identify warning signs and act quickly:

  • B – Balance: Sudden loss of balance or coordination
  • E – Eyes: Sudden vision changes or loss of vision
  • F – Face: Facial drooping or uneven smile
  • A – Arms: Sudden weakness or numbness in one arm or leg
  • S – Speech: Slurred speech or difficulty speaking or understanding
  • T – Time: Call 911 immediately

Stroke Prevention

While not all strokes can be prevented, managing risk factors can significantly reduce your likelihood of having a stroke. Preventive steps include:

  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Managing blood pressure (high blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke)
  • Controlling blood sugar levels, especially for people with diabetes
  • Quitting smoking
  • Exercising regularly (at least 30 minutes most days)
  • Following a heart-healthy diet low in saturated fats, salt and added sugars
  • Limiting alcohol consumption
  • Managing cholesterol levels
  • Working with your healthcare provider to manage conditions such as atrial fibrillation

Advanced Stroke Diagnosis and Treatment

Stroke care begins with rapid diagnostic testing to determine the type, location and severity of the stroke. This typically includes advanced imaging such as CT (computed tomography) and CT angiography (CTA).

If a patient is eligible, clot-busting medication (thrombolytic therapy) may be given through an IV to help restore blood flow to the brain.

For certain types of stroke, an endovascular thrombectomy may be recommended. This minimally invasive procedure uses specialized devices to remove the clot directly from the blood vessel and restore circulation to the brain.

What Is Interventional Neurology?

Interventional neurology is a specialized field focused on minimally invasive, catheter-based procedures used to treat conditions affecting the blood vessels of the brain and spine.

These advanced techniques are especially important in stroke care, allowing physicians to treat life-threatening blockages quickly, with reduced recovery time and fewer complications compared to traditional surgical approaches.

Stroke Recovery and Rehabilitation

After a stroke is treated, ongoing care and rehabilitation are essential parts of recovery. Most patients benefit from stroke rehabilitation to help restore strength, mobility, speech and cognitive function.

Rehabilitation may begin during the hospital stay and continue after discharge through both inpatient and outpatient therapy services. Care is individualized based on each patient’s needs and recovery goals.

Comprehensive Stroke Care

Stroke Care includes rapid emergency response, advanced interventional treatment options, inpatient care coordination and long-term rehabilitation support. Our multidisciplinary team works together to ensure patients receive timely, coordinated care throughout every stage of stroke treatment and recovery.