Stroke Care
Overview
A stroke occurs when there is a lack of blood flow to the brain (ischemic stroke) or when there is bleeding in the brain (hemorrhagic stroke). A stroke prevents the brain from functioning, leading to symptoms ranging from difficulties speaking or walking to loss of consciousness or even death. A stroke is a medical emergency, and emergency medical help should be contacted right away.
CaroMont’s Stroke Center team understands that time is of essence, and patients receive care within minutes of arriving at our ER. Our Stroke Center has been awarded Advanced Certification as a Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission (TJC) the past two years. This certification recognizes centers that make exceptional efforts to foster better outcomes for stroke care, thereby delivering the best care possible to their patients.
Our multidisciplinary approach also includes a stroke coordinator, six telemetry beds for stroke patients, and NIH stroke scale and ACLS (advanced cardio life support) certified nurses.
Types of strokes
- Ischemic stroke
- Hemorrhagic stroke
Risk Factors
The following are some factors that may increase your risk of stroke – some are within your control, others, unfortunately, are unpreventable.
- Being overweight or obese
- Poor diet
- Use of illicit drugs (cocaine)
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- High blood pressure
- Cigarette smoking
- Use of birth control pills
- Diabetes
- Physical inactivity
- Cardiovascular disease
- Increasing in age
- Personal or family history
- Race – African Americans are at higher risk
Symptoms
Regular checkups with your doctor play an important role in decreasing your risk of stroke. If you believe someone is experiencing or has recently experienced a stroke, look for the following symptoms and contact emergency medical help right away. The longer a stroke goes untreated, the greater chance of brain damage.
- Loss of consciousness
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Weakening, numbness or paralysis on one side of the body
- Sudden dizziness
- Difficulty walking
- Difficulty speaking
- Difficulty understanding
- Difficulty seeing in one or both eyes
Tests
A quick diagnosis is critical when dealing with a stroke. Diagnostic tests will be given to the patient to determine the type of stroke and the best course of treatment.
- Physical exam
- CT scan
- Blood test
- MRI
- Echocardiography
- Carotid ultrasound
Treatment
Treatment depends on whether the patient is having an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. In both cases, prompt medical treatment is critical to minimizing brain damage and increasing chances of survival.
- Ischemic stroke
- Aspirin
- Blood-thinning drugs
- Injection of tissue plasminogen activator
- Angioplasty and stenting
- Carotid endarterectomy
- Surgery Rehabilitation
- Hemorrhagic stroke
- Medications Surgery (repair blood vessel)
- Rehabilitation
