Stroke Care
According to the National Stroke Association, a stroke is the leading cause of death in the U.S., and the leading cause of serious, long-term adult disability. This year, a stroke will occur every 40 seconds and will take a life every four hours. Two million brain cells die every minute during stroke, increasing the risk of permanent brain damage, disability or death.
Recognizing symptoms and acting F.A.S.T. can save a life and decrease the chances of permanent disabilities.
Know the symptoms:
- Confusion or difficulty speaking/understanding
- Difficulty swallowing
- Sudden loss of vision
- Sudden numbness, weakness or paralysis of the face or on one side of the body
- Sudden severe headache
- Unexplained dizziness and/or loss of balance
B.E. F.A.S.T.
- Balance: Sudden loss of balance.
- Eyes: Sudden trouble seeing out of one or both eyes.
- Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
- Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
- Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?
- Time: If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1. Learn more about stroke awareness.
When a patient comes to the hospital with stroke symptoms, it's crucial to make a proper diagnosis quickly in order to begin treatment to minimize the effects of a stroke. The stroke care team at Woodland Heights Medical Center delivers potentially life-saving care for ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, and can perform treatment options.
Woodland Heights Medical Center has earned recognition as a Primary Stroke Center by receiving The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's Heart-Check mark.
Following a stroke, rehabilitation care is there to help individuals regain their independence. The multidisciplinary rehabilitation team at Woodland Heights Medical Center provides caring, personalized assistance to help patients meet their goals.