Stroke

A stroke is an acute condition that affects the arteries of the brain. When one of these arteries becomes blocked, or even ruptures, the supply of blood to the brain is interrupted and much-needed oxygen is cut off from the cells in the brain.

It’s for this reason that time is a critical factor when treating someone who may be suffering a stroke: the sooner you can treat a stroke, the better the outcome for the stroke victim.

For further information, contact us at 619-287-3270

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Alvarado Hospital has been certified by the Joint Commission as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center. This means that the Emergency Room at Alvarado Hospital are seen within 20 minutes of arrival by a board-certified neurologist, and that specialized equipment and specifically trained staff are always ready to immediately evaluate stroke victims and expedite treatment.

In addition to Alvarado Hospital’s Primary Stroke Center certification, we have been recognized by the American Heart Association with a Get with the Guidelines Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award for our commitment to treating our stroke patients according to the latest national quality standards and techniques.

BE FAST – When it Comes to Stroke, Speed is the Key

Recognizing the symptoms of stroke, and getting that person help quickly, is vitally important to ensuring the best outcome for a stroke victim. A good way to help you recognize these symptoms is the acronym BE FAST:

Balance: Watch for a person’s sudden loss of balance
Eyes: Check for vision loss
Face: Look for an uneven smile
Arm: Check if one arm is weak
Speech: Listen for slurred speech
Time: Call 9-1-1 right away

If you, or a person near you, has ANY of the above symptoms get them help immediately by calling 9-1-1.

“Mini-Strokes”

Transient Ischemic Attacks, “mini-strokes” or TIAs, is a medical emergency like a full ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, with the exception that TIA symptoms commonly only last a few minutes, up to 24 hours. It’s for this reason that TIAs are often ignored or not taken seriously. But this would be a mistake; anyone suffering any of these symptoms should be seen at an emergency room right away. Oftentimes, full strokes occur soon after someone suffers a TIA. These mini-strokes can be seen as warning signs for a larger stroke.