Stroke
If you are experiencing the signs and symptoms of stroke, seek emergency medical care immediately to ensure the best possible outcome.
Stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is disrupted. Time is critical if you or someone you love is having a stroke. The longer the brain is without oxygen, the more severe the damage is likely to be. To be most effective, certain lifesaving treatments must be started within a small window of time.
SSM Health Neurosciences offer the most advanced treatments for stroke. When every second counts, our experienced team of neurologists, neurointerventionists, neurosurgeons, stroke nurse practitioners, stroke coordinators, ER physicians, radiologists, dedicated nurses and clinicians work together to deliver life-saving treatment.
To serve you better, please set your location for information on services available in your area.
Use BE FAST to learn the signs of a stroke and the importance of getting help early.
Risk Factors for Stroke
Stroke is the leading cause of long-term disability and a leading cause of death in the United States. But it is something that can be prevented by taking steps to control your risk factors. Your first step in prevention is to understand those risks - both those you can and cannot control - and taking proactive steps to minimize them.
What is stroke telehealth?
How SSM Health brings advanced stroke care to everyone.
Time is critical when a stroke occurs. SSM Health telehealth services connects patients to neurology specialists remotely through real time, high-quality video, audio, and file transfers.
Telemedicine technology makes it possible:
- To review CT scans performed at the patient's location by remote neurology experts to determine the type and severity of stroke.
- For doctors to rapidly evaluate, via remote examination, patients and determine the best course of treatment, including whether the use of tPA is appropriate.
- For patients receive the highest quality care, thanks to collaboration between local physicians and the remote team of experts.
Learn more about telehealth services and how they work at SSM Health.
Types of Strokes
There are two primary types of stroke: ischemic and hemorrhagic.
- An ischemic stroke happens when either a blood clot or piece of plaque blocks one of the vital blood vessels in the brain.
- A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a weakened blood vessel ruptures, spilling blood into surrounding tissues.
Since each type of stroke requires a different type of treatment, your emergency medical team must determine the cause of the stroke, as well as the location, as quickly as possible. At SSM Health, our specialized stroke team offers comprehensive diagnosis, cutting edge treatment and effective rehabilitation to help you recover from stroke.
What Happens After a Stroke?
Common Problems After Stroke
The effects of stoke vary in both severity and permanence, depending on which brain cells have been damaged and the body's ability to repair the blood supply to the brain.
A stroke may be accompanied by a variety of problems, including:
- Difficulty speaking
- Inability to walk
- Loss of memory
- Balance problems
- Impaired use of extremities on both sides of the body
- Impaired use of one side of the body
Stroke Rehabilitation
An intensive rehabilitation therapy program focused on building strength and relearning critical skills is one on the most important parts of the stroke recovery process. At SSM Health, we aim to help you overcome the damage caused by stroke to improve function, so you can regain your independence.
Your rehabilitation program should start as soon as possible after a stroke. Your doctor will determine when you are stable enough to start therapy and will refer you for the services you need.
Your therapy team may include a variety of specialists, including physical therapists, speech therapists, or occupational therapists.
Stroke Risk Assessment
Understanding your risk for stroke is the first step in prevention. This quick and easy risk assessment takes just a few minutes to complete and provides you with immediate results.
Additional Resources
Resources for Stroke Patient Caregivers
Caring for a stroke survivor’s needs is a big job. It’s important that caregivers also prioritize their own needs. Taking breaks and reaching out for support are essential to your wellbeing when taking care of a loved one after a stroke.
Community resources, such as adult day care, meal programs, home health aide services, homemaker assistance and respite care may be helpful during this transition period. Ask the doctors and nurses on your family’s care team for information on additional local resources.
Resources for Stroke Survivors
As a stroke survivor, know that you’re not alone if your recovery journey. By connecting with other survivors, you can continue to learn about stroke and understand the care and support options available to you. Speak with your health care provider or find a support group in your area.
National organizations also offer online forums and reference materials to provide you the answers you’re seeking: