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.
Emergency stroke treatment
When you or someone you love needs emergency stroke care, we're here to provide lifesaving treatment.
HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital is committed to providing patients throughout Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch and Venice with high quality stroke care. As part of that commitment, we maintain a Primary Stroke Center designation with The Joint Commission. This recognition means our stroke specialists follow the highest national standards for safety and care in the rapid response and treatment of stroke patients.
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.
Comprehensive stroke care
From your initial diagnosis through treatment and rehabilitation, our team is dedicated to ensuring you receive coordinated, comprehensive care.
Stroke treatment
Timely stroke treatment can greatly improve your chances of recovery. We are equipped to deliver lifesaving services, including:
- A trained stroke team available 24/7
- Rapid turnaround of imaging and radiology exams
- Quick results from diagnostic and lab procedures
- Dedicated stroke unit
- Rehabilitation specialists committed to helping patients regain a comfortable quality of life
- Multidisciplinary stroke committee that reviews patient care and outcomes monthly
Stroke rehabilitation
Rehabilitation after a stroke is an essential step in the recovery process. It helps you regain a comfortable quality of life. For that reason, we provide comprehensive physical therapy and rehabilitation for stroke recovery. We'll do everything we can to help you meet your goals.
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
The Healthy Living Blog
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