Stroke Program

What is a stroke?
What are the signs and symptoms of a stroke?
What are the risk factors for a stroke?
News and Links

Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability in the United States. More than 2,000 Central Valley residents suffer a stroke each year. In 2007, Community Regional Medical Center cared for more than 750 stroke patients.

As the area’s leading integrated stroke care facility, Community Medical Center uses a multidisciplinary approach to provide state-of-the-art care for patients suffering from many different types of acute stroke.

For many stroke patients, care begins in our emergency department by our rapid response stroke team. This team is made up of specially trained reperfusion nurses, emergency physicians and a vascular neurologist. They can quickly diagnose and deliver life-saving therapies for patients suffering from acute ischemic or hemorrhagic strokes. Thanks to our designation as a Level 1 trauma center, a neurosurgeon is on call at all times if surgical intervention is deemed necessary.

Specially trained nurses on our stroke and telemetry units oversee the care delivered to stroke patients. These patients receive a comprehensive inpatient evaluation to measure risk factors. Stroke patients are discharged only after the proper stroke prevention strategies are implemented.

Patients also are evaluated for their subsequent rehabilitation needs. If necessary, they will receive care from our expert team of physical and occupational therapists, along with speech and swallowing pathology services.

Our multidisciplinary approach to stroke care includes the following departments:

-Neurology
-Neurosurgery
-Emergency Medicine
-Radiology
-Cardiology
-Critical Care/Pulmonary
-Internal Medicine/Hospitalists
-Laboratory Services/Pathology
-Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

What is a stroke?
There are two types of stroke: ischemic and hemorrhagic.

Ischemic strokes occur when plaque or a clot interrupts the blood supply to the brain. Within a few minutes, brain cells begin to die due to a loss of oxygen and nutrients. The main cause of ischemic strokes is atherosclerosis, a condition in which plaque or fatty deposits build up within the arteries of the brain and lead to narrowing or obstruction. Ischemic strokes account for approximately 80 to 85% of all strokes.

Hemorrhagic strokes involve the leaking or rupturing of a blood vessel in the brain. The blood then accumulates and puts pressure on brain tissue. back to top

What are the signs and symptoms of a stroke?
The first five warning signs of a stroke are:

• Sudden onset of weakness/numbness on one side
• Sudden speech difficulty or confusion
• Sudden visual difficulty (one or both eyes)
• Sudden onset of dizziness, trouble walking or loss of balance
• Sudden, severe headaches with no known cause

A stroke is a medical emergency. If you experience any of these symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately.

When it comes to a stroke, time loss is brain loss. In fact, 1.9 million neurons are lost for each minute a stroke goes untreated. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of a stroke and seeking medical attention as soon as possible is critical. Patients with ischemic strokes who reach the emergency department early enough may qualify for an FDA-approved clot-busting drug called tPA. This drug must be administered within a three-hour window from the time of symptom onset. On average, less than 3% of patients recognize their symptoms early enough to be considered for this treatment. back to top

What are the risk factors for a stroke?
Many risk factors for stroke can be managed through lifestyle change and medication. However, certain individuals have a predisposed risk of stroke due to genetic and hereditary circumstances.

Modifiable risk factors for stroke

High blood pressure – Controlling your blood pressure is the single most important element in lowering your risk of stroke.
Cardiovascular disease – Heart conditions, such as previous heart attack or congestive heart failure, can raise the risk of a stroke.
Diabetes – People with diabetes are twice as likely to have a stroke. Controlling your diabetes through weight management is the most effective way to lower your stroke risk.
Cholesterol – High levels of undesirable cholesterol increase stroke risk. Diet, exercise and in some cases, medication can help lower your cholesterol levels.
Smoking – Cigarette smokers have a two to three times greater risk of stroke than non-smokers. If you smoke, quit.
Obesity – Obesity contributes to diabetes and high blood pressure and can double your stroke risk. Manage your weight through diet and exercise.
Birth Control and Hormone Therapy – Women who take birth control pills have a higher risk of stroke, especially if they smoke.

Genetic and hereditary risk factors

Race – African-Americans are more prone to strokes than Caucasians. Asian-Americans have a higher prevalence of hemorrhagic stroke than other ethnicities.
Family history – Those with parents or siblings who have had a stroke are at higher risk for stroke themselves.
Prior medical history – Those who have experienced cardiovascular or heart-related ailments have a higher risk of stroke.
Age – Stroke risk doubles every 10 years after age 55.
Gender – Men under 55 are more likely to have a stroke than females. After 55, the risk is the same for both genders. Women are more likely to die of a stroke than men. back to top

Informational Links
American Stroke Association
Brain Attack Coalition
National Stroke Association
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
CDC Stroke Prevention Web site
Internet Stroke Center