Southwest General has been awarded Primary Stroke Center Certification by The Joint Commission. This recognition is given to facilities that demonstrate high quality care while following national standards and guidelines that can significantly improve outcomes for stroke patients. Click here for more information.
A stroke, sometimes called a "brain attack"--occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted. When a stroke occurs, brain cells in the immediate area begin to die because they stop gettting oxygen they need to function.
What causes a stroke?
There are two major kinds of stroke. The first, called an ischemic stroke, is caused by a blood clot that blocks an artery in the brain. About 80 percent of all strokes are ischemic. The second, known as a hemorrhagic stroke, is caused by a blood vessel in the brain that breaks and bleeds into the brain. About 20 percent of strokes are hemorrhagic.
What are the risk factors for a stroke?
A risk factor is a certain condition that makes a person more likely to get a disease. There are two kinds of risk factors: the kind you can't change and the kind you can change or modify.
The risk factors you can't change are:
- Age
- Race
- Heredity
- Had an ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA) in the past
Risk factors that can be changed/modified are:
- High blood pressure
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Blockage in the carotid artery
- Obesity
- Inactivity (not exercising regularly)
- Drug abuse
- Heavy alcohol use
- Atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat)
- High cholesterol
What can I do to prevent a stroke?
The best treatment for stroke is prevention. If you smoke, quit. If you have high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes or high cholesterol, getting them under control and keeping them under control will greatly reduce your chance of having a stroke.
Improving risk factors with lifestyle changes
- Blood pressure:
This is the single most important risk factor for stroke. Never stop your blood pressure medication without talking to your doctor.
- High cholesterol:
High cholesterol increases the risk of clogged arteries. The goal is to get the total cholesterol less than 200 and the LDL less than 100. Speak to your doctor before discontinuing use of cholesterol-reducing medications.
- Smoking:
Smoking doubles your risk of stroke. You can find programs to help you quit by calling 1-800-QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669). Talk to your doctor about products that may help you quit.
- Diabetes:
Diabetes increases your risk of stroke. A hemoglobin A1C in people with diabetes should be less than 7. Work wiht your doctor to manage diabetes by taking your medications as directed, healthy eating and exercise. Southwest General's Diabetes Education Department can be reached at 440-816-5728.
- Atrial fibrillation (AF):
AF is an irregular heartbeat that changes how your heart works and can cause blood to pool in parts of your heart. This pooled blood can form clots and cause a stroke. If you are taking Coumadin (warfarin) to prevent clots, make sure you get your blood tested as directed. Southwest General's Coumadin Clinic can be reached at 440-816-6743.
- Carotid arteries:
The carotid arteries in your neck supply blood to your brain. A carotid artery damaged by a fatty buildup of plaque inside the artery wall may become blocked by a blood clot, causing a stroke. Talk to your doctor about ways to manage this. An antiplatelet medicaton may be prescribed. This medicine keeps blood clots from forming by preventing blood platelets from sticking together.
- Lifestyle management:
Obesity, inactivity, excessive alcohol intake and illegal drug use (especially cocaine/crack) can increase your risk of a stroke. Weight management, establishing an exercise program, moderation in alcohol comsumption, and stopping illegal drug use will decrease your stroke risk. Southwest General's Nutrition Services can be reached at 440-816-8605.
Signs of a stroke:
If you have these symptoms, call 911 right away, because "Time=Brain."
- Sudden numbness/weakness of face, arm or leg.
- Sudden difficulty speaking or understanding.
- Sudden change in vision in one or both eyes.
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination.
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause ("worst headache of my life!").
If you have had a stroke/TIA:
When you get home from the hospital, be sure to set up appointments with your doctor. Try not to miss any appointments. If you do, call and make a new appointment right away. Keeping your appointments will help you stay on track with your treatment and managing your risk factors. Please bring your medications with you to all your doctor appointments.
It is very important that you follow up with your doctor and continue the treatments that were started while you were in the hospital. One of the reasons why patients may have another stroke or heart attack is because they do not take their medications according to their doctor's direction.
A stroke nurse clinician is available to answer health-related questions or concerns at 440-816-6682. Additionally, you can call nurse practitioners 24 hours a day at 1-877-SWG-BEAT (794-2328).
A Stroke Survivor Support Group is available. Click here for more information.
For more information on strokes, visit