The Stroke Team
The multidisciplinary team at the Comprehensive Stroke Center at St. Mary's has received specialized training in acute and ongoing management of stroke patient and caregiver needs. The team is comprised of Interventional neurologist, ER Physicians; ICU, Step Down Unit, Telemetry and Rehab, Nursing, Lab, Nutrition, Pharmacy, Physicial, Occupational and Speech Therapy, Quality; Radiology and Respiratory; and Special Procedures.
What is a Stroke?
A stroke, or “brain attack,” affects the arteries leading to and within the brain, disrupting blood flow. The stroke may be the result of a clot that develops in the brain (an ischemic stroke) or a weakened blood vessel that ruptures and bleeds into the brain (a hemorrhagic stroke). Every day, nearly 2,000 people in the U.S. suffer a stroke. It is the number three killer of Americans after heart disease and cancer. However, by learning the warning signs and seeking medical treatment immediately, you can greatly improve your chances of survival. Go to the American Stroke Association to find more available information at www.strokeassociation.org.
Symptoms of Stroke
Someone in the United States suffers a stroke every 45 seconds. Because minutes count when a stroke has occurred, quick recognition of the symptoms is critical. Call 911 to initiate treatment for the best chance of recovery from a stroke. Time to Act During a stroke, brain cells deprived of oxygen do not die immediately. However, the likelihood of a full recovery is greatly improved when treatment begins within three hours of the onset of symptoms. Call 911 if you or a loved one experiences the sudden onset of the following symptoms of stroke:
- blurred vision, double vision or partial blindness in one or both eyes
- difficulty speaking or understanding speech
- difficulty walking, dizziness or loss of balance or coordination
- severe headache with no known cause
- weakness or numbness in the arm, leg or face, especially on one side of the body