Stroke
A stroke is a medical emergency where blood flow to the brain is either reduced or stopped, depriving brain tissue of essential oxygen and nutrients. A stroke may cause loss in brain function and affect movement and speech.
Stroke treatment in Brooksville, Florida
When you're experiencing a stroke, seconds mean the difference between losing and saving critical brain cells.
At HCA Florida Oak Hill Hospital, we provide rapid stroke care with the goal of decreasing brain damage and disability. Our highly trained medical team works together, from diagnosis through rehabilitation, to provide you with comprehensive care.
Stroke is a medical emergency.
If you believe someone is experiencing a stroke, call 911 immediately.
If you believe someone is experiencing a stroke, call 911 immediately.
Our stroke treatments and services
We provide comprehensive stroke care, from diagnosis and treatment through rehabilitation and follow-up care.
Nationally recognized stroke center
Our hospital is certified as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission, one of the nation's leading healthcare accreditation agencies. This certification demonstrates our dedication to excellence in stroke care. We adhere to stringent, proven standards, leading to improved outcomes and higher quality of life for patients after experiencing a stroke.
Fast, coordinated stroke treatment
We provide stroke care 24/7 in our emergency room (ER). Our stroke treatment protocols begin when a patient is first identified as experiencing a stroke, even before an ambulance arrives at our emergency room (ER).
We work with emergency medical services (EMS) to streamline stroke treatment, bypassing the emergency room, so we can immediately perform a computerized tomography (CT) scan of the brain. Our specially trained radiologists then promptly interpret the results, and our experienced stroke care team initiates the appropriate treatment.
Stroke rehabilitation
After a stroke or neurological incident, we offer various physical therapy and rehabilitation services to help you regain your function, abilities and independence. Our licensed therapists and rehabilitative specialists design personalized programs to help you recover completely and safely. They support you in adapting to any abilities which may have permanently changed as a result of your stroke.
Understanding stroke
A stroke is a serious medical condition that requires immediate emergency care, which is why being knowledgeable about stroke can help save a life.
Types of stroke
A stroke is caused by interrupted blood flow to part of the brain. When blood flow is stopped, that part of the brain can’t receive oxygen and other nutrients. This causes brain cells to die and can result in permanent damage, even death.
There are different types of strokes, including:
- Hemorrhagic stroke: when a blood vessel ruptures and blood leaks into the brain
- Ischemic stroke: when a blood clot blocks blood flow to part of the brain
- Transient ischemic attack (TIA) or "mini stroke": when there is temporary interruption of blood flow to part of the brain
Stroke symptoms
It’s important to be able to recognize signs of a stroke so you can act quickly when they occur. Common stroke symptoms include sudden:
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Loss of balance or coordination
- Numbness, weakness or paralysis of the face, arm or leg (especially on one side of the body)
- Severe headache with no known cause (may be accompanied by pain in the face or stiffness in the neck)
- Trouble seeing in one or both eyes (such as blurred, blackened or double vision)
- Trouble speaking
- Trouble walking
The symptoms of a TIA are the same as those of a stroke, but they usually last only a few minutes. If you think you are experiencing a stroke, don't drive. Call 911.
Stroke risk factors
There are certain factors and conditions that may put you at risk for stroke. However, some of those conditions can often be treated. Some of the major risk factors for stroke include:
- Being 55 years old and older
- Having a family history of stroke
- Having atrial fibrillation (AFib)
- Having diabetes
- Having heart disease
- Having high blood pressure
- Having high cholesterol
- Having poor circulation
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