|HomeAboutResourcesWays to GivePastoral CareNewsCareers|
Focus on Conditions: Stroke
What is a stroke?
We remember those who’ve had stroke and ‘were never the same’, completely disabled, or simply died. A stroke is caused by a blockage or a rupture in a blood vessel leading to the brain. There are two kinds of stroke. Ischemic Stroke is caused by a clot that blocks the flow of blood to the brain – just like a clot to the heart can cause a heart attack; a clot blocking blood to the brain can cause a stroke. A Hemorrhagic (bleeding) Stroke is caused by a blood vessel rupturing. The parts of the brain, the brain cells, that don’t get the blood intended for it because of the blockage or rupture, are affected, causing the disability and loss of function in the corresponding parts of the body (such as speech, memory, paralysis, etc).
If you think someone may be having a stroke, act FAST and do this simple test:
What is a TIA?
The full name is a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA). If someone has been ‘lucky’ enough to have a TIA, it simply means that they have shown the symptoms of a stroke. It is a Transient (temporary) Ischemic (lack of blood flow) Attack and it can be a mixed blessing because it is a warning – a major warning – that something is wrong – but you and your physician now have a chance to address the cause and issues. TIAs are not a minor event. A person who has had a TIA is almost 10x more likely to have a stroke. Further tests and diagnosis must be made to find out why it happened – and how to prevent a ‘full-blown’ stroke.
There are several Risk Factors for stroke – controllable (the ones you and your physician can impact and reduce) and uncontrollable (the ones you’re ‘born with’ or cannot change).
Controllable Risk Factors
Uncontrollable Risk Factors include:
How do I know if it’s a Stroke?
Unfortunately, many people don’t know or ignore the warning signs and miss the opportunity to be considered in new treatments that can minimize the effect of a stroke. Several treatments are very limited and must be given within a certain time. Call 9-1-1 and go to the nearest NYS Department of Health Designated Primary Stroke Center. Don’t sleep it off, don't wait untill you call your doctor, or phone a friend. Set pride aside. It’s better to be wrong about your symptoms then to suffer the consequences of not taking action at all. Stroke must be diagnosed quickly. The chance for treatment and recovery is based on how quickly someone arrives after symptoms begin. If you or someone you know has ANY of these warning signs, call 9-1-1 immediately. Do not delay!
This information was provided by the American Stroke Association, a division of American Heart Association
The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) has created an exclusive Stroke Center designation to improve the standard and access to quality of care for patients with a diagnosis of stroke. The nationally recognized criteria requires those hospitals have a strict protocol or program of care and a team in place to care for patients presenting with symptoms of stroke with a rapid, definitive treatment plan.
All of the hospitals within CHSLI have earned the NYS Stroke Center designation for the efforts of their Stroke Teams, comprised of a multidisciplinary group that includes emergency physicians, neurologists, neurosurgeons, radiologists, nurse practitioners, nurses, vascular surgeons, and rehabilitation specialists. The stroke team is available to respond for evaluation and treatment of stroke patients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the Emergency Department.
All CHSLI hospitals participate in the American Heart Association’s GET WITH THE GUIDELINES initiative. The goal of the program is to improve the overall quality of care for stroke patients by improving acute stroke treatment and preventing future strokes and cardiovascular events.
Designated Stroke Centers within CHSLI
St. Francis Hospital:
St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center:
St. Charles Hospital:
Mercy Medical Center:
Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center: