Stroke

Advanced stroke care at Reid Health

A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is limited. Without blood, the brain doesn’t receive the oxygen it needs. As a result, brain cells can die off, resulting in brain damage.

In the U.S., strokes are a leading cause of disability and death. Treating a stroke as quickly as possible allows providers to stop a stroke and repair any damage.

The right place for stroke care

If you or a loved one experiences a stroke, you’ll find prompt, expert care at Reid Health. We have been recognized as a Primary Stroke Center by the Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP) for our ability to provide advanced stroke care. We offer accurate diagnosis, emergency procedures to treat stroke, and specialized care after a stroke.

Types of strokes

There are two types of stroke: ischemic and hemorrhagic. Both cause damage to the brain, but they occur in different ways. A third type, called a transient ischemic attack, isn’t a true stroke, but it can affect the brain just as strokes can.

• Ischemic strokes: Ischemic strokes are the most common type, accounting for up to 80% of strokes. They occur when a blood clot forms in the carotid arteries, which supply blood to the brain, or in arteries within the brain itself, cutting off blood flow.
• Hemorrhagic strokes: Hemorrhagic strokes occur when a blood vessel in the brain bursts and bleeds, putting pressure on brain tissue.
• Transient ischemic attack (TIA): A TIA, or ministroke, affects the brain in the same way as an ischemic stroke, but it lasts for only seconds to minutes. Having a TIA increases the risk of having another type of stroke in the future. 

Stroke treatments available at Reid

The vascular surgeons and neurologists at Reid Health start planning your care as soon as an emergency medical team calls to let them know they’re on the way.

For ischemic strokes, we often use a medication called tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). tPA breaks up blood clots and must be given within four and a half hours of the time symptoms first appear.

If you don’t reach us within that window or tPA isn’t a good option for you, we can treat a stroke with a procedure called a thrombectomy. Our vascular surgeons insert a small tube (catheter) into an artery. Then, they use a special dye to help find and remove a blood clot through the catheter.

We can also use medications to treat a stroke, depending on the type and cause.

After a stroke: Reid’s Acute Rehabilitation Unit

The inpatient Acute Rehabilitation Unit, located on the third floor of the main hospital, is designed to help people with specific needs get the therapy they need to recover. Here, patients who have had a stroke and experience loss of function can receive at least three hours of therapy five days a week.  

You’ll work with our rehabilitation team on speech, occupational, or physical therapy to regain your ability to do daily activities. Our vascular specialists will help create a personalized care plan that could include lifestyle changes and medications to prevent another stroke from occurring.