What is a stroke?
A stroke or “brain attack” occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery (ischemic stroke) or a blood vessel breaks, interrupting blood flow to an area of the brain (hemorrhagic stroke). When either of these things happens, brain cells begin to die and brain damage occurs.When brain cells die during a stroke, abilities controlled by that area of the brain are lost. These abilities include speech, movement and memory. How a stroke patient is affected depends on where the stroke occurs in the brain and how much the brain is damaged.
Two million brain cells die every minute during stroke, increasing risk of permanent brain damage, disability or death. Recognizing symptoms and acting fast to get medical attention, can save a life and limit disabilities.
The Stroke Center at Memorial Hospital
- Stroke Team responds 24/7
- Acute intervention including tPA, the clot dissolving medication that can increase chances of a full recovery
- State-of-the-art diagnostic imaging, high speed CT scan and MRI
- Stroke-trained clinicians
- EMS and community outreach