Stroke Care
Time is of the essence, and immediate medical attention is crucial to ensuring survival and recovery. Our commitment to providing the safest, highest quality of stroke care possible is at the core of who we are.
St. Vincent Healthcare was the first hospital in our region to be recognized as a Primary Stroke Center. We are also the first hospital in the region to offer interventional stroke care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. With this program, we can treat patients up to 24 hours after they had a stroke, and they won’t have to be flown to a facility out-of-state to receive this advanced care.
What is a stroke?
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is interrupted by a clot or bleeding. This interruption causes brain cells to go without oxygen.
A stroke is a medical emergency that requires rapid diagnosis and treatment. Fast care can reduce brain damage and help stroke survivors more fully recover.
Stroke is the #1 cause of disability, but is largely preventable.
Are you at risk? Download the Stroke Risk Scorecard.
Signs and symptoms of stroke
Knowing the signs of stroke could save a life, maybe even your own. A good way to remember stroke symptoms is to B.E.F.A.S.T.:
- Balance: Is there a sudden loss of balance? Ask the person to stand, but be careful not to let them fall.
- Eyes: Has there been lost vision in one or both eyes? Ask the person to tell you something they see in the space around them.
- Face drooping: Is one side of the face drooping or numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person’s smile uneven?
- Arm weakness: Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
- Speech difficulty: Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, such as “The sky is blue.”
- Time to call 911: If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 911 and get the person to the hospital immediately.
Stroke recovery and rehabilitation
No two strokes are the same. We work with you and your family to create a customized plan for recovery. Our team helps you set short- and long-term treatment goals, so you can recover from your stroke, relearn skills and develop new ways to do things.
To assist stroke survivors, we’ve developed the Stroke Care Survival Guide to support you during recovery and help lower the risk of having another stroke.
"From the moment of my arrival… I knew I was in the right place. I felt that I was surrounded by thoughtful, caring professionals. I am extremely grateful for the care and support I received." – Bob Falle, stroke patient
