What is a stroke?

A stroke occurs when blood supply to the brain is impeded or reduced, often caused by blockage in a blood vessel. Because blood is responsible for carrying oxygen to the brain, any interruption in that process can cause damage to the brain very quickly. Then, the part of the body connected to the damaged brain area will no longer be able to function properly.

Because brain damage can happen so quickly during a stroke, prompt action is vital. Administering treatment at the onset of symptoms can help to minimize brain damage and promote recovery.

What are the symptoms of stroke?

Symptoms of a stroke happen quickly. If any of the following symptoms suddenly occur, seek medical attention immediately. A stroke may cause:

• Loss of sensation, weakness or paralysis in your face, arm, or leg, particularly on one side of your body.
• Trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
• Difficulty speaking, slurring or trouble comprehending what others are saying.
• Trouble with walking or balance.
• A sudden, severe headache that is different from past headaches.

If you have any of these symptoms, call 911 right away. Even symptoms that appear and then seem to go away could be sign that a stroke is impending. From the onset of symptoms, you have three hours to receive treatment for maximum recovery. Do not wait to see if symptoms subside.

How is a stroke diagnosed?

To find out what kind of stroke it is, the doctor will do a type of X-ray called a CT scan of the brain, which can show if there is bleeding. The doctor may order other tests to find the location of the clot or bleeding, check for the amount of brain damage, and check for other conditions that can cause symptoms similar to a stroke.

What factors may increase the risk for stroke?

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Smoking
• Being overweight or obese
• Diabetes
• Sleep Apnea
• Cardiovascular disease
• Heavy alcohol consumption or binge drinking
• Illicit drug use
• Personal or Family history of stroke or heart attack
• Being over the age of 55

Why East Jefferson General Hospital is the Best Choice for Stroke Care

East Jefferson General Hospital has long been recognized for its personalized and comprehensive approach to treating stroke patients. In fact in 2012 CareChex ranked EJGH in the top 10% of all hospitals in the United States for stroke care.

Perhaps nothing speaks to the quality of care we provide stroke patients more than the recent designation we received from the Joint Commission, an independent, not-for-profit organization that is the nation's oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care, certifying EJGH as an Advanced Primary Care Stroke Center. This designation means a great deal to us, but here is what it means to those we care for:

• Certification signifies we have implemented the stringent, national guidelines needed to achieve high level stroke care and outcomes
• Join Commission's Disease-Specific Care Certification Program is designed to evaluate clinical programs across the continuum of care.
• Designation shows an organized approach to performance measurement and improvement activities.

What all this means to you, the community we serve is that today we stand as a stroke treatment facility that can stand alongside the finest in the nation. But more importantly, it means we are actively dedicated to improving our processes to ensure we stay at the forefront of stroke care.

Response is the Key to Effective Stroke Treatment

Our team is dedicated to offering the most comprehensive program of its kind in Louisiana. When a patient comes to the Emergency Department with symptoms of stroke:

• Our goal is to evaluate a stroke patient within 15 minutes of arrival.
• Each patient is evaluated and treated using a uniform and extensive set of guidelines that address both emergency treatment and ongoing care.
• A head CT scan or brain MRI scan can be performed and interpreted within 45 minutes of the stroke patient being admitted.
• A fully functioning medical laboratory is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week to analyze and provide test results in a timely manner
• A neurosurgeon is available, if needed.